The Seahawks have ties to ten coaches for their open position, and general manager John Schneider made it apparent to reporters on Tuesday that the group intends to look widely.
ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, who joined Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy on Thursday to discuss the Seahawks’ current situation and their search for Carroll’s replacement, is well-versed in both the NFL and the coaching carousel.
“Many amazing fits are in store,” Fowler said. “I firmly believe that they are seeking culture and leadership. That will be huge, much like what Pete Carroll gave them for a very long time. That will undoubtedly be at the top of their list. They won’t limit themselves to pursuing an offensive or defensive player. They may search for leadership traits more than other teams. All teams search for that, but I believe this one more than others.
“Those are some of the questions that have been asked in some of the interviews that have already happened,” he stated. “Leadership and philosophy are the areas of inquiry. Whoever emerges victorious from that procedure. And that’s considering all of the most sought-after possibilities for offensive and defensive coordinator, such as Ben Johnson; they haven’t asked for Mike Macdonald to leave Baltimore just yet, but they may. Then there are people like Mike Vrabel who may have meetings with them. Jim Harbaugh and Bill Belichick won’t likely be involved in this position, but almost everyone else might.
After the 2009 season, the Seahawks haven’t searched for a new head coach, so how does this year’s pool of contenders compare to previous ones?
To be honest, it’s a bit of a mixed bag, Fowler admitted. “But for that reason, I believe the Seahawks will prioritize finding the right fit over the hottest name.”
This year’s coaching cycle is plenty of interest, and Fowler believes that the Seahawks are among the most compelling narratives to follow.
Because of their achievements and the infrastructure they established, he continued, Seattle is fascinating in and of itself. “Do they try to find someone new, or do they stick with someone they know well, like Dan Quinn, who would seem like the natural choice?