Miami Dolphins new head coach Mike McDaniel fumbled during a press conference on Feb. 10 when asked about race.
The new coach, who has a Black father and white mother, seemed nervous speaking in front of the cameras. As a result, he went on a long rant about identifying as human when asked about his racial identity.
The NFL has called McDaniel a minority hire, which prompted a conversation about privilege because McDaniel passed for a white man and said he has never experienced racism because of it.
McDaniel also identifies as multi-racial.
The #Dolphins hire the first minority coach of the cycle and the #49ers receive 2 third-round compensatory picks. Mike McDaniel is biracial. https://t.co/4gExaFRr9H
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 6, 2022
When asked about the controversy during the press conference, the former San Francisco 49ers assistant head coach nervously gave a non-answer concerning race.
“Yeah it’s been very odd to tell you the truth,” he said. “This idea of identifying as something, um, you know, I think people identify me as something, but I identify as a human being and um, it… it.. my dad’s Black, so whatever you wanna call it.”
“It’s weird that it comes up because the, you know, I’ve just tried to be a good person, and I think my background opens my eyes a little bit,” he continued. “Um, I dont have any real experience with racism because, you know I think you identify me as something close to, I don’t know. I know my mom experienced racism when she married my dad. I know my dad experienced it, that’s in my family…But I guess that makes me a human being that can identify with other people’s problems.”
Mike McDaniel on people talking about his racial background "It's been very odd…I identify as a human being and my dad's black" pic.twitter.com/XRRrNsNsc1
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) February 10, 2022
Twitter users had jokes about Mike McDaniel and his public speaking skills, or lack thereof. Twitter also had jokes about McDaniels being the NFL’s diversity hire.
Hearing him speak, I wouldn’t let him coach JV middle school football, nevermind an NFL team. Jesus.
— thought.you.knew (@gerardgerard) February 11, 2022
Per Sources. The Miami Dolphins did a Ancestral DNA swab on new HC Mike McDaniels. And he is .00000000000001 African American and he lived in Detroit for 2 months. Therefore awarding them draft picks for a minority hire. pic.twitter.com/lUIy9IzE2d
— Notorious RPB (@realprinceblue) February 6, 2022
“Coach McDaniels, do you identify as African- American?”#MikeMcDaniels: pic.twitter.com/rcyZjC594D
— Bunchy Carter (@KwabenaSharif) February 10, 2022
Ima personally def need to see a pic of Mike McDaniels dad
— Draymond (@DrayDrayW) February 8, 2022
Mike McDaniel and his dad look EXACTLY alike!!!! pic.twitter.com/t1a8SstcB8
— D_Bo_OnE9 (@D_Bo_OnE9) February 7, 2022
The new face of Ivy League and NFL diversity efforts, Mike McDaniels. #yale #nfl pic.twitter.com/szTN1Jhna1
— Wong Güey 那个王 (@wong1880) February 13, 2022
BREAKING:
Miami Dolphins hire 49ers Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniels as Head Coach pic.twitter.com/WxyAnMgtjI— KFC (@KungFuCommie) February 8, 2022
Mike McDaniels during his first press conference pic.twitter.com/TaeYcqmoOe
— Marty McMesh (@Fire2AllGo) February 10, 2022
McDaniel began as an intern for the Denver Broncos in 2005 before becoming an intern for three years with the Houston Texans. He was an assistant coach for Washington from 2011 until 2014. He then became the Cleveland Browns’ wide receivers’ coach.
He also coached the Falcons before moving on as the run game coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, where he became an assistant head coach.
The 38-year-old McDaniel will be the third-youngest coach in the NFL with his head coaching job with the Miami Dolphins.
