Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald addresses the press at an NFL football media session on Thursday, January 25, 2024, in Owings Mills, Maryland. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The Seattle Seahawks have officially announced the hiring of Mike Macdonald, the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, as their new head coach.
Macdonald’s Appointment and Contract Details
Macdonald is set to sign a six-year contract, the details of which surfaced from sources closely connected to the situation and were confirmed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“What an honor,” Macdonald said after greeting the team employees, according to the team’s website. “We are super excited to be here. Just getting to know [GM] John [Schneider] and the rest of the folks, the reputation of this place, what drew us here was the people. That’s why we’re here, to bring a championship back to Seattle and the 12s.
“We’re going to have a lot of fun, we’re going to work our tails off, and it’s going to be an incredible ride. We’re going to be here for a long time, and we’re going to win a lot of football games.”
The Seahawks’ decision to hire Macdonald followed a second meeting on Wednesday, following their initial interview in Baltimore.
Macdonald’s Background
At 36 years old, Macdonald becomes the youngest head coach in the NFL. He brings with him a reputation as one of the league’s brightest defensive minds. MacDonald steered the Ravens to the top spot in points allowed, sacks, and takeaways during the 2023 season, his second as Baltimore’s coordinator.
The Seahawks’ leadership, including John Schneider, engaged with Macdonald for the first time on Tuesday. A second, in-person interview had also been conducted a day earlier with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who later decided to remain in Detroit, according to sources.
The Seahawks are transitioning from 72-year-old Pete Carroll to 36-year-old Macdonald. This marks a shift from the NFL’s oldest head coach to its youngest. Macdonald, who is 16 months younger than Jerod Mayo recently appointed by the Patriots, signifies a significant generational change.
Macdonald emerged as one of the most sought-after head-coaching candidates this year. He interviewed with six teams, including the Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers, and Washington Commanders.
Seahawks’ Defensive Coordinator Considerations
The Ravens are now tasked with finding a replacement for Macdonald as defensive coordinator. However, they are considering multiple internal options, including Anthony Weaver, Dennard Wilson, Zachary Orr, and Chris Hewitt.
Zachary Orr is being considered for the role of defensive coordinator with the Seahawks, as per ESPN sources. Orr, a former NFL linebacker, spent the past two seasons working with Macdonald in Baltimore.
Macdonald’s Coaching Journey
Mike Macdonald’s NFL journey began as a coaching intern with the Ravens in 2014. After coaching at the University of Georgia for four seasons, he served seven seasons on Baltimore’s staff in various roles. In 2021, he became Michigan’s defensive coordinator before returning to Baltimore to coordinate the Ravens’ defense in 2022.
Following Carroll’s 14-year tenure, which ended three weeks ago, the Seahawks had a thorough interview process with nine reported candidates.
Macdonald’s name gained momentum during Baltimore’s AFC title game run, which culminated in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs despite an impressive defensive performance that held Patrick Mahomes to 17 points.
Immediate Priorities for Macdonald
With the coaching change, Macdonald’s immediate focus will be on assembling a new coaching staff, addressing personnel changes post-Carroll, and evaluating the starting quarterback situation for the 2023 season. The decision regarding Geno Smith’s future as the starting quarterback must be made before Feb. 16, when his $12.7 million base salary for the next season becomes fully guaranteed.
