In a move that could best be described as generational, both for the future of the Seattle Seahawk’s presence in the NFL’s post season, and for the changing of the guard, a new direction for the Seattle Seahawks has begun. Mike MacDonald arrived in Seattle from Baltimore with a resume that might have qualified him to replace Lloyd Austin in the “other Washington” as America’s Secretary of Defense.
Macdonald replaces a true football pioneer in Pete Carroll who happened to be the oldest head coach on the NFL sidelines at 72 years of age, as the youngest in the league at age 36.
The Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) named Macdonald the 2023 Assistant Coach of the Year.
Coach Macdonald’s 2023 defensive playbook for the Baltimore Ravens in his role as Defensive Coordinator made his team the first in NFL history to finish a season ranking no. 1 in each of the following categories: points allowed (16.5 ppg), sacks (60) and takeaways (31, tied with the N.Y. Giants).
His previous employer also ranked no. 1 in the NFL in both point differential (+203) and turnover margin. Led by four AP All-Pros, the Ravens allowed the league’s sixth-fewest yards (301.4 ypg). including the most sacks among NFL interior linemen and the second highest ranked player in the NFL for interceptions.
Seahawks Executive Vice President and General Manager John Schneider introduced the new Head Coach to the media at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center acknowledging “We have a great foundation here.” Coach Carroll will assume an advisory role with the team.
Over the past decade, Macdonald has climbed the pro ladder as a defensive mind, ascending from Baltimore Ravens’ coaching intern in 2014. The University of Georgia alum rose to defensive assistant the following year, before spending time as defensive backs coach (2017) and linebackers coach (2018-2020) on Coach John Harbaugh’s staff.
In 2021, Macdonald would join the University of Michigan as defensive coordinator under another Harbaugh – Wolverines’ Head Coach Jim Harbaugh. In his lone season in Anne Arbor, the Wolverines’ ranked Top-10 in the country defensively.
In 2022, Macdonald returned to Baltimore as defensive coordinator, helping the Ravens to make consecutive playoff trips before joining Seattle.
“We’re very excited to welcome Mike to our team as head coach,” said Jody Allen, Chair of the Seattle Seahawks. “Mike has demonstrated innovative and disciplined leadership and has a clear vision about what it takes to win. His record in Baltimore speaks for itself as does his commitment to a strong team culture, which is a hallmark of the Seahawks.”
“This feels like home already,” said Macdonald in his first press conference. [24×7]
