The Seattle Seahawks parted ways with long-time head coach Pete Carroll earlier in the offseason. Now, the franchise has found its Carroll successor.
The Seahawks have been a model of consistency dating back to the late 1990s. Former head coach Mike Holmgren held the gig from 1999-2008, taking Seattle to a Super Bowl in 2005.
Jim Mora filled the position in 2009 as the front office searched for a long-term option at head coach. In came the hottest name in the college ranks — Pete Carroll.
As fans know, Carroll took the Seahawks to two Super Bowls from 2010-2023, even winning one in a 43-8 blowout of the Denver Broncos.
Seattle surprisingly let Carroll go this offseason, only days after the veteran head coach spoke of his excitement for the 2024 campaign.
Seahawks replace Carroll with youngest HC in NFL
Since Carroll’s departure, speculation has run wild over who his replacement will be. On Wednesday, general manager John Schneider provided an answer.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald will become the ninth head coach in Seahawks franchise history. At 36 years old, Macdonald is also the NFL’s youngest active head coach.
Sources: The #Seahawks are set to hire #Ravens DC Mike Macdonald as their new head coach. Seattle was willing to wait for him if Baltimore made the Super Bowl.Instead, their season ended last week and he takes a big-time job. He’s currently in Seattle on a 2nd interview. pic.twitter.com/9iusq8zYOe
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 31, 2024
Going from a 72-year-old to a head coach half of Carroll’s age will be a tonal shift for the organization. But the hope is that Macdonald can build upon the strong foundation the previous coaching staff laid down.
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Macdonald has zero head coaching experience but has held a position with the Ravens every season since 2014, sans 2021, when he left to become the Michigan Wolverines defensive coordinator for one year.
Macdonald inherits a roster that is only a year removed from being in the playoffs. Several questions must be answered this offseason, primarily at the quarterback position.
The #Ravens defense led by Mike Macdonald played the NFC West this past season. They went 4-0, beating the Seahawks, Rams, 49ers and Cardinals.Baltimore's defense forced 9 turnovers in those games.Now he gets to see them twice a year. https://t.co/opswj8soiK
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 31, 2024
Keep an eye on the staff Macdonald builds because he will surely want a savvy offensive coordinator to control that side of the ball while he takes care of the defense.
Macdonald has some exciting defenders in tow, led by star cornerbacks Tariq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon. He also has a full assortment of picks available in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Seahawks will give Macdonald a six-year deal, tying him to the organization for the foreseeable future. It’s not easy to follow in the footsteps of a future Hall of Famer, but Macdonald is up for the challenge after spearheading a dominant Baltimore defense in 2023.
Every ending is a chance at a new beginning. It’s time for the Seahawks to turn the page on the Pete Carroll era.