The Seattle Seahawks have their first new head coach in 14 years, Mike Macdonald. To say this has excited the 12s is a gigantic understatement. Social media is blowing up with the buzz over the hire, and rightfully so.
John Schneider has just made the most important hire of his career. Yeah, I know he's been the final authority for the Seahawks for all of three weeks. However, if he got this hire right - and I believe he did - the Seahawks won't have to hire another head coach for, oh, 20 years or so. Mike Macdonald brings a fantastic resume to Seattle. At the oh-so-tender age of 37, he could be the Hawks leader for decades, if he chooses to.
Will he be good enough? The wonderful football Ouija board and Magic Eight-ball both reveal that we're in luck. All signs point to yes, as Lee Vowell wrote. Macdonald was a defensive assistant, then linebackers coach for the Ravens for seven years. He was the Michigan Wolverines' defensive coordinator in 2021, then returned to the Ravens as their DC for 2022 and 2023. The Wolverines' points allowed ranked 8th in the nation, out of 130 Division One schools. They ranked 95th before he took over. You know how nasty the Ravens' defense is. If you forgot, go back and watch the Hawks Week 9 game, if you can stomach it.
12s and media love the Seattle Seahawks choice for head coach
Okay, so we know Mike Macdonald is the right guy. Let's see what everyone else says. A quick trip through the land formerly known as Twitter shows a lot of love for this hire. We'll lead off with Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network. After that, just soak up the love.
“He’s super cerebral. Probably the smartest guy in the building. Don’t tell him I said that… Whatever is coming in his future, he deserves it.”
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 31, 2024
1 hour before news #Seahawks to hire Mike Macdonald as HC, Ravens Pro Bowl DB Kyle Hamilton told me what makes Macdonald special. pic.twitter.com/inKVcwWW4P
John Schneider….#Seahawks pic.twitter.com/DtutLr2wHU
— Mikaela Mattes 🎙 (@mikaelamattes) January 31, 2024
Fix what's broken.
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) January 31, 2024
And: If you can't beat the 49ers, get the guy who just did.
That's what the #Seahawks have done in hiring Mike Macdonald to be their new head coach.
Seattle stays with a defensive-first HC--because that's the worst part of the team: https://t.co/vIu0PJrJox
As Gregg Bell mentioned, yes, they got the guy who absolutely dominated the Niners. They didn't get past the Chiefs, but it wasn't the defense that only put up 10 points on the scoreboard. On to more reactions:
So many people here at the @seniorbowl have positive things to say about Mike MacDonald. Around the league, this will be viewed as a home run hire by the #Seahawks. https://t.co/oI3t96sUYr
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 31, 2024
Incredible hire. #Seahawks fans should be ecstatic about this https://t.co/8nMf1KOqFR
— Samuel Gold (@SamuelRGold) January 31, 2024
For the record, here’s my FINAL Top 5 rankings of my favorite candidates to get the #Seahawks head coaching job. pic.twitter.com/DBhDlwfMbI
— Dan Viens 🎙 (Seahawks Forever Podcast) (@SeahawksForever) January 31, 2024
There’s no question the fanbase preferred Macdonald over Quinn or anyone else (once Johnson stayed in DET), so this is a big initial win, optics-wise for the organization. They didn’t go with the safe, familiar pick. They’re swinging for the fences. Good on them.#Seahawks
— Aaron Levine (@AaronLevine_) January 31, 2024
John Schneider is swinging for the fences, indeed. Macdonald's six-year deal speaks volumes about the process the Seahawks see moving forward as well. While Schneider, the Seahawks, and the 12s expect immediate improvement, the organization showed they see the long game here. I have zero doubt the Seahawks made the right move here.