Josh McDaniels Opens Up About Coaching Against Brother On Texans Staff

The story of the New England Patriots cannot be told without offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. He has been on the coaching staff for every single one of the franchise’s six Super Bowl wins.

His prolonged success has landed him other jobs around the league, but he once again returned to New England this offseason for his third stint with the Patriots in pursuit of number seven.

That pursuit now takes a unique turn as he is set to welcome his brother, Ben McDaniels, to Foxboro this Sunday in a divisional round playoff clash.

Ben is the younger brother of Josh and has 22 years of coaching experience of his own.

He is now in his fifth season with the Houston Texans and is working his way up the staff. He started as an offensive assistant, then became the wide receivers coach, and is now operating as the passing game coordinator while still overseeing the receiver room.

Josh spoke to reporters in Foxboro on Thursday about what it means to have his brother in town.

“We kind of grew up in a coach’s household with my dad,” McDaniels said. “I’m super proud of what (Ben) has been able to do. Obviously, these are interesting situations when you find yourself competing with your sibling.

“But it’s a little bit more interesting for my parents than anybody else.”

McDaniels’ father, Thomas, was a high school football coach in Canton, Ohio, for nearly 40 years. He became one of the most respected high school coaches in Ohio state history, being named the USA Today High School Coach of the Year in 1997.

“We are looking forward to the opportunity,” McDaniels continued. “I know he is trying to beat us just like we’re trying to beat him.

“We compete in almost anything we do, honestly, — which is kind of fun — this will be no different. I think this is our fourth time having an opportunity to do this, just a little bit more at stake.”