Seahawks announce more changes to the coaching staff for 2018

On Friday, the Seahawks confirmed some already known coaching staff changes and announced one that was not yet reported. Seattle’s overhaul of the coaching staff proves that Seattle understands its championship window is closing.

The Seahawks still have Pete Carroll as head coach. Other than that, Seattle has changed every other important staff member since the 2017 season ended. Gone is offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell who was replaced by Brian Schottenheimer. Also out is former defensive coordinator Kris Richard. Richard was replaced by Ken Norton Jr.

Brian Schneider is still the Special Teams Coordinator, but he just got coaching help with Larry Izzo. Izzo played 14 seasons in the NFL and has been coaching in the NFL for the last seven, most recently with the Houston Texans.

Steve Shimko joins the staff as an offensive assistant. Shimko coached under Schottenheimer at the University of Georgia so there is a familiarity with what Schottenheimer wants to do offensively. Shimko has spent the last two years coaching the offense at Garden City Community College in Kansas.

Jethro Franklin will be the new assistant defensive line coach. Franklin spent the last three seasons with the Oakland Raiders in the same job. Franklin worked under Norton, so there is familiarity there too.

Prior to this offseason, Carroll was reluctant to make many coaching changes, especially with coordinators. Only one did Carroll terminate someone and that was in 2011. This many staff changes clearly shows that Carroll was unhappy with the direction the team was going.

Carroll also only has two years left on his current contract. As much as the fans, Carroll wants to win now. His coaching life, he understands, like the Seahawks championship window is coming to a close.

But if all these moves help put Seattle back atop the NFC, then the window stays open. And Carroll’s legacy continues long after he is no longer head coach in Seattle.

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