Mike McDaniel jokes he looks like Chargers IT guy next to Jim Harbaugh

Mike McDaniel may look like he was called into the Chargers’ facility to reset the Wi-Fi.His actual assignment is rebooting the offense.Head coach Jim Harbaugh recently said his new offensive coordinator reminded him of a younger version of himself, praising McDaniel’s confidence and saying their interactions sometimes feel like “looking in the mirror.”McDaniel appreciated the comparison while acknowledging an obvious difference between the two.“It’s a real compliment that I think is also hilarious because he’s a former Mr.Everything, 6-foot-4, professional athlete, and I just got done with my job in the IT department,” McDaniel said.

“That’s what I look like.” The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.Please provide a valid email.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story The joke fits McDaniel’s reputation as one of the NFL’s foremost offensive nerds.

After joining the Chargers in January, he watched all 3,438 passes Justin Herbert had attempted during his first six seasons.McDaniel then presented Herbert with a cut-up containing several hundred plays and spent more than two hours explaining what he envisioned for the offense.That preparation is now becoming a system built around motion, speed and forcing defenders to make decisions before the snap.McDaniel’s Miami offenses used pre-snap movement at a much higher rate than the Chargers did under Greg Roman.The motion can reveal man or zone coverage, alter defensive leverage and create free releases for receivers such as Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.The running-game transition may be equally significant.Miami used outside zone 157 times last season, averaging 4.78 yards per carry and nearly breaking even in expected points added.

The Chargers called outside zone only 66 times, averaging 3.42 yards with considerably worse efficiency.California Post News: F...