Archie McDaniel is in his second season as the co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach after he coached outside linebackers at New Mexico in 2018.
McDaniel returned to New Mexico after serving three years as linebackers coach at SMU. The Mustangs were one of college football‘s 10-most improved defenses in 2016, ranking seventh nationally in interceptions and forcing 26 turnovers in all. Overall, SMU win total also improved each year and culminated with a 2017 DXL Frisco Bowl berth.
He went to SMU after serving as an assistant coach previously at New Mexico for three seasons. He coached outside linebackers in 2014 after tutoring the defensive line in his first two seasons. He produced a pair of Honorable Mention All-Mountain West linemen in Brett Bowers and Jacori Greer. His defensive line unit in 2012 helped the Lobos improve 45 spots among FBS teams in rush defense in 2012 and produced 38 tackles for loss and 15 sacks in 2012.
McDaniel also spent two seasons at Tulsa as the defensive tackles coach in 2011 and tight ends/H-Back coach in 2010 when the Golden Hurricane ranked sixth nationally in total offense. He coached a pair of Honorable Mention All-Conference USA selections, Cory Dorris in 2011 and Charles Clay in 2010.
He went to Tulsa after coaching linebackers at Texas Southern for one season, serving as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Texas A&M, in 2008 and beginning his coaching career as a linebackers coach at Trinity Valley Community College in 2007. He also served an internship with the Houston Texans in the NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship Intern program.
McDaniel was a linebacker as a player at Texas A&M. He was a three-year starter and served as team captain as a senior for the Aggies. He ended his playing career amassing 213 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions from 2003-05.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural development at Texas A&M in 2005. McDaniel and his wife, LaTrenia, have a son, Christian.
