Seahawks Head Coach Mike Macdonald Faces 'Pivotal Question' in Year 1
The Seattle Seahawks finally have their new head coach, as they announced Wednesday the hiring of Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.
After overseeing two superb seasons as the Ravens' defense became one of the best in football, Macdonald gets the chance to steer his own ship as Pete Carroll's successor.
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was thought to be the front-runner due to his ties with the organization, but the Seahawks opted for a person without prior knowledge of the franchise, thus creating a clean slate.
CBS Sports thinks that Macdonald in Seattle is going to be an intriguing watch, but that there's certainly some boxes he'll need to check in Year 1.
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"After 14 seasons with Pete Carroll atop the staff, Seattle is maintaining a defensive approach here, plucking Macdonald from a Ravens staff that oversaw back-to-back top-five finishes as a scoring defense," CBS Sports writes. "He'll be the youngest head man in the NFL at 36, though he's got nine years of NFL experience under John Harbaugh, while also logging a single season with John's brother, Jim, at Michigan. On paper, he's a solid fit for a team with lots of young defensive pieces. How he outfits the other side of the ball is, of course, a pivotal question. One thing's for sure: His hire is more intriguing than going back to the well of familiar old friends."
The Seahawks do have the defensive pieces to warrant having one of the top units next season. Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen, Boye Mafe, Julian Love, Bobby Wagner, and Jarren Reid are all part of a defense that under-performed this season but the unit is expected to bounce back given the talent they possess.
Seattle's defense ranked 25th for points allowed per game (23.6), 11th for pass yards allowed (250.5 per game), and allowed the second-highest rushing yards total (138.3 per game).
The expectation is that Macdonald will get those numbers down, and he has the players and scheme to do it.
Now that the head-coaching position has been filled, just who will be calling plays on the other side of the ball is the next port of call with Seattle offensive coordinator Shane Waldron now in Chicago.
Our own Corbin K. Smith detailed three interesting options in Mike Kafka, Tee Martin (Ravens QB coach), and Danny Breyer (Ravens offensive quality control coach) as possible candidates to watch for if Macdonald was hired.
Just who Seattle will get to pair with Geno Smith and the host of weapons next season will make for interesting viewing.
The first domino at head coach has fallen. Now, the next will be who takes control of an offense that is brimming with talented pieces.
