I like McDaniel and thought he was one of the most intriguing HC candidate this offseason and think you laid out a solid alternate scenario.
I'm curious, though, if it was the Saints who didn't show him any interest or if it was the other way around? Is that known? Regardless, not sure how easy it would have been to land McDaniel since we know Miami was interested enough to offer him the job, so at the least, there would have been competition for him. Not sure the Saints win out in that scenario. Two QBs rehabbing from season-ending injuries and Ian Book, a star receiver who'd missed all of last season and parts of the prior season, a star running back facing felony charges, a looming vacancy at LT, a rookie QB class generally regarded as weak at the top, and cap issues to work through. Honestly not sure how attractive the Saints opening would have been among coaching candidates, particularly offensive minded ones.