SAN JOSE, Calif. — Two years after being fired by the Las Vegas Raiders, Josh McDaniels is heading back to the Super Bowl as offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots. The 49-year-old coach, who went 9-16 in less than two seasons with the Raiders, has helped guide rookie quarterback Drake Maye to MVP consideration and an AFC championship in Maye’s second year.

McDaniels was named Associated Press assistant coach of the year on Thursday. He called his return to the Super Bowl “rewarding” rather than validating. “Validation is somebody else’s decision, and they can make those determinations,” he said. “I’ve always just tried to do the best I can with the role I have, and that won’t ever change for me.”

This marks McDaniels’ seventh Super Bowl appearance as an assistant, but his first without Tom Brady or Bill Belichick on the Patriots staff. He has helped several former Raiders players find success in New England, including offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr., who was cut by Las Vegas in the preseason. Munford has emerged as an extra tackle in jumbo formations. Wide receiver Mack Hollins, tight end Austin Hooper, and linebacker Robert Spillane have also contributed significantly.

“They were the same players (with the Raiders),” McDaniels said. “We just didn’t have a chance to get to where we’ve gotten here.”

Spillane, the team’s leading tackler, noted the redemption stories throughout the roster. “These are all guys with unreal stories of how they got here,” he said. “That’s the fabric of our team as a whole.”

Despite his success, McDaniels was not a hot head-coaching candidate this cycle and said he is focused on the present. “I’m going to be one-day-at-a-time for the rest of my career, honestly,” he said. “I think I’m where I’m supposed to be. I’m incredibly happy to be here and doing what I’m doing.”