The Seahawks need a change at the helm. Who are 5 coaches who could supersede Coach Carroll and lead the team into the next decade?
The Seahawks are 9 games into the season with an abysmal 3-6 record. This is not the result many of the faithful saw coming. The team went all-in with proven veterans. They signed leaders. They sought out a new offensive coordinator to bridge the gap with Russell Wilson and the Seahawks current coaching staff.
However, it all looks to be for naught. The team is heading nowhere fast. They have a 70-year old Head Coach who doesn’t appear to be enjoying the art of coaching any longer. From every angle, he looks like someone begrudgingly trying to win one final Super Bowl to sail off into the sunset as a hero.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t appear to be a likely or even viable option at this point. Regardless of what happens the rest of the year, changes should be coming. I don’t expect anyone to be safe.
Seahawks could hire an offensive-minded coach to replace Pete Carroll
This goes from the coordinators to the head coach. It also spreads to the back office. The Head of Scouting has failed to identify real contributors in the drafts over the last several years. The General Manager has failed to capitalize on a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback.
Staples of the organization could move on. It’s completely logical that they may not want to be a part of the upcoming rebuild. They could also be simply ready for a change after taking part in the quickly sinking ship. This includes players like Duane Brown, DK Metcalf, Bobby Wagner, and Russell Wilson.
Some will say ‘why DK?’ The answer is easy, he is already tired of losing and worth a lot in terms of assets for a potential rebuilding team.
To try and slow the bleeding, the Seahawks need to be swift. They need to be decisive. The best course of action to avoid a myriad of roster moves is to relieve the head coach and the Executive Vice President Pete Carroll of his duties.
Head Coach option 1: Byron Leftwich
Byron Leftwich was an integral part of Tampa Bays Super Bowl run last year. He beautifully merged what Tom Brady does well, what the head coach Bruce Arians was looking for, what the star players on their team succeed at, and what the defense offers up. The end result was one of the best offenses in recent years.
This is incredibly important if Seattle is trying to keep Russell Wilson past Coach Carroll’s departure. The new head coach needs to be a forward thinker and someone who understands how to get the best out of a team’s stars. Seattle has one of the most talented offenses on paper. The current regime is simply failing to get the most out of them.
After the Super Bowl run with Tampa Bay, many assumed Leftwich would be a hot commodity for the coaching carousel. However, that never came to fruition. Tampa Bay’s current head coach Bruce Arians was furious that Leftwich was left out of contention.
This years’ go-around with Tampa Bay and their star-studded cast having another successful season, it is likely that Leftwich will be highly sought after, and for good reason. The Seahawks need to have his number on speed dial.
Head Coach option 2: Brian Daboll
Brian Daboll is no stranger to the coaching carousel. This will be his third stint going through the process. However, from what has been leaked, he was in contention for nearly every coach’s job he interviewed for. The right opportunity simply didn’t present itself.
What if Daboll is waiting for a fit like the Seahawks to make his long-anticipated departure? A team with an established quarterback where he can quickly jump in and right the ship to success. Russell Wilson is one of few truly elite quarterbacks in today’s game.
However, he is no stranger to elite quarterbacks. He has helped mold Josh Allen into what he is today. One of the best quarterbacks in the league. Allen came into the league as a raw but talented player. A massive man at 6’5″ with an absolute rocket for an arm and the speed/ strength to take the first down with his legs.
However, he struggled with mechanics and accuracy. He was more of an athlete than a quarterback at that stage. Daboll was able to get the most out of the player and lead the offense to consistent success.
Pairing Daboll, who is accustomed to a larger QB with Russell Wilson would offer its own challenges. However, the challenge of finding a new way to succeed with a future Hall of Fame quarterback should be a challenge worth investing in.
Head Coach option 3: Nathaniel Hackett
There aren’t many coaches out there with a better record for getting the most out of a unit than Nathaniel Hackett. Every stop Hackett has been at resulted in an offense succeeding, and the team thriving. This move would keep the positive culture alive for the Seahawks going into the new era.
He helped turn Buffalo from a perennial loser to a playoff team several years back (along with Brian Daboll). He brought back a dead program in Syracuse into a respectable football college. Shoot, he made Blake Bortles look like an All-Pro. If that last one doesn’t say anything to you, it should.
Hackett is a truly creative individual who has succeeded in every stop he has taken. Hackett is following in his fathers’ footsteps in that regard. Paul Hackett coached in college and the pros for nearly 40-years. Nathaniel has lived, breathed, and slept in football for his entire life.
He is currently the Packers offensive coordinator. He is being deemed the quarterback whisperer. He has impressed many other players in the organization as well. This is what All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari had to say about Nathaniel Hackett –
"“His positivity and energy, it’s infectious. There has never been a day where I have not seen him come in without greater energy and enthusiasm. He’s literally a walking culture.”"
For anyone worried removing Carroll would result in the Seahawks cultural downfall, here is your answer. Sometimes you can have everything. An offensive-minded head coach who has a record of success and is a culture setter.
Head Coach option 4: Mike McDaniel
Mike McDaniel was one of the most connected individuals to the Seahawks this last cycle when the team was searching for an offensive coordinator. However, the 49ers ended up promoting from within and are now reaping the rewards.
The Seahawks are no strangers to taking key personnel from in-division rivals. In fact, our current offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was an assistant with the Rams.
McDaniel comes from the Shanahan tree with creative play-calling and lots of runs. McDaniel’s experience as the Run Game Coordinator has greatly helped him succeed in his new role. His 49ers offense plays like it is in a chess match with the defense. It is non-stop posturing to set up another play. Then another. McDaniel is a thinker who enjoys psychological battles.
The 49ers offense went from the stale unit in 2020 to an offensive powerhouse. The group has seen Deebo Samuel blossom into full-blown stardom. Every running back they insert has a different style of play. McDaniel changes the style of the run to match their strengths.
Jimmy Garoppolo is having a great year despite what the record states. This would be a move that would make a lot of sense if the Seahawks were to trade Russell Wilson and attempt to rebuild the team through the defense and the run game.
McDaniel offers a lot of upside and a unique perspective of the game. This is one of the true wildcards but offers immense upside if Russell Wilson moves on. Think 2012-2013 Seahawks style of play.
Head Coach option 5: Kevin O’Connell
Kevin O’Connell is the Rams current offensive coordinator. He has always been considered an incredibly gifted football mind since his playing days. This year he is finally getting a chance to put that front and center.
The Rams offense under O’Connell has been one of the most aggressive in the league. They follow the Kobra Kai mantra of ‘No Mercy.’ They strike fast and they strike hard.
Stafford is having a great bounce-back year with his new weapons. Cooper Kupp is having one of the best seasons potentially ever. The offense is scheming ways to get certain individuals open on any given route. There is a lot of misdirection and nuance.
O’Connell has done a phenomenal job getting everyone on the same page and moving as one unit forward. Depending on how the rest of the year goes, he will either be one of the hottest names on the market or someone who GM’s consider to be one year away.
Seattle could get ahead of the curve and bring O’Connell in either way and reap the rewards with his creativity and ingenuity on the offensive side of the ball. This would be a move that would keep Russell Wilson very happy.
Personally, I would rank them in this order for my top choices:
- Brian Daboll
- Byron Leftwich
- Nathaniel Hackett
- Kevin O’Connell
- Mike McDaniel
I would take any of these head coaches over Pete Carroll, currently. I simply think it’s time for a change. Not to take anything away from what Coach Carroll has done for the team and the organization. He is going to be in the Ring of Honor one day due to his leadership and success.
That being said, Daboll is my top choice. He has proven he can get the most out of players, and help young players find success. If Russell Wilson stays he should be able to help bring the best out of him. If Wilson leaves, Daboll has shown he can bring the potential of quarterbacks into actuality.