Jan 4, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek reacts during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

A Critical Update Regarding Raiders' HC Search

Originally posted on Las Vegas Raiders on SI
By Ezekiel Trezevant | Last updated Jan 24, 2026 11:35 AM ET

Despite numerous interviews and requested interviews with coaching candidates, the Las Vegas Raiders continue searching for their next head coach. Las Vegas' search keeps moving along, even as coaching dominoes around the league continue to fall. The Raiders' search has now taken a turn.

Newest Turn in Raiders' Coaching Search

The Raiders were assumed to have missed out on former Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel. As always, things can change quickly in the National Football League. Las Vegas has search has focused mainly on rising coordinators around the league. McDaniel is an outlier.

Las Vegas' hope to potentially land McDaniel may nearly be over, but it is not over yet. Additional information has come out regarding McDaniel's, and possibly the Raiders' future. In actuality, McDaniel will impact the Raiders whether he joins them or joins the Los Angeles Chargers.

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Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported the Raiders still have a shot at McDaniel, and that nothing has officially been set in stone yet for the respected coach.

"Update: Mike McDaniel pulled out of his scheduled meeting down in Florida with the Bills yesterday, I’m told, and the two sides never met. McDaniel remains in contention for the Raiders’ head coaching job, but if he takes an OC position, it’s still expected to be with the Chargers," Russini said.

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The Raiders are looking to bring in quality coaches and players. McDaniel is that. He has years of experience as a head coach in a city similar to Las Vegas in some ways. He has been a part of a sometimes-dysfunctional franchise like the Raiders and held up his end of the bargain relatively well.

Whether or not McDaniel is a fit for the Raiders does not seem to be much of a question. He would essentially have a blank slate, which would likely mean he has a decent amount of say in building the team's roster. He would also get to help mold presumed No. 1 pick, Fernando Mendoza.

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The Raiders' most significant hurdle for McDaniel's services will be the Chargers, who were already widely reported to have hired McDaniel as their next offensive coordinator. Los Angeles has a much more stable situation, and Justin Herbert has already proven himself, while Mendoza has not.

It is fair to assume McDaniel will, in fact, become the Chargers' next offensive coordinator. However, the Raiders have a legitimate pitch to McDaniel, should they decide he is the man for the job. Las Vegas has its hurdles, but the Raiders' job has much higher potential upside than the Chargers'

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This article first appeared on Las Vegas Raiders on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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