For years former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll made regular appearances on Seattle’s local ESPN radio affiliate (710 AM) on Monday mornings. It sounds like the team’s new head coach Mike Macdonald might be continuing that tradition, as he called into the station today.
Macdonald had several interesting things to say during his interview about his coaching staff and the direction of the team. Here are seven quotes from that conversation.
1
On building coaching staff: 'It's been a long process'
To begin, coach Macdonald acknowledged that building his first staff in the NFL is taking some time.
Seattle was the last team to hire an offensive coordinator around the league this offseason and still has a lot of positions left to fill. Macdonald says it’s been a long process but the goal is to find the right guys.
Mike Macdonald on @SeattleSports on building a coaching staff: "It’s been a long process, but it’s been a great process trying to find the right guys to coach our team." Says Ryan Grubb has been on his radar for a while, notes he and DeBoer have won everywhere they've been.
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) February 12, 2024
2
Seahawks will focus on 'chasing edges'
As for his vision for the franchise, Macdonald says that the organization will be built on chasing edges and pursuing a growth mind set. Macdonald wants his team to be willing to try new things.
Mike Macdonald says every aspect of #Seahawks organization will be built on "chasing edges," which goes with his pursuit of coaches that have a growth mindset to be willing to try new things.
"It's so competitive in the NFL and it's so hard to win… You win on the margins."
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) February 12, 2024
3
Offense, defense 'have to have a core identity'
As for specifics, it will be long time before we actually see Macdonald’s plan in action. However, for now he says he wants to build up core concepts, fundamentals and having a core identity.
"I want to build the offense through the same lens we're going to build our defense. We have to be really good at core concepts, fundamentals… We have to have core identity."
Mike Macdonald says #Seahawks will be physical, play fast, run football. Efficiency is name of game.
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) February 12, 2024
4
Leslie Frazier will be 'a massive resource'
One of the underrated hires that Macdonald has made over the last couple of weeks was landing Leslie Frazier as his assistant head coach. Frazier had a ton of interest around the league and comes with loads of experience, including as a head coach himself. Macdonald says he’ll be a massive resource.
"So much wealth of knowledge… He's going to be a massive resources for us and me personally. He's kind of been through the wars."
Mike Macdonald on Leslie Frazier joining #Seahawks.
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) February 12, 2024
5
DC Aden Durde knocked interview 'out of the park'
Another under the radar move that Macdonald has made is hiring former Cowboys defensive line coach Aden Durde as his defensive coordinator. Macdonald says he knocked the interview out of the park and they see the defense the same way.
Mike Macdonald on @SeattleSports on Aden Durde: "Aden came in highly recommended, got on our interview list, and knocked out of the park when we first stat down." Says they see defense very similarly.
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) February 12, 2024
6
'We're going to run the football'
Pete Carroll loved to talk about running the ball, no matter what else might be going on with his team. It seems Macdonald might share some of that enthusiasm for pounding the rock. He says the offense is going to be a physical unit that’s going to run the ball.
Mike Macdonald on @SeattleSports
"We don't want to reinvent our offense every week so we have to have a core identity. We're going to be a physical unit. We're going to run the football and we want to have answers for the QB and keep it consistent for him."
— Maura Dooley (@Maura_Dool) February 12, 2024
7
Ryan Grubb's offense will 'look a little different' than Washington
The most exciting hire that the Seahawks have made is getting former Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb as their new OC. Grubb led a dynamic, pro-style scheme for the Huskies and a lot of it will carry over, including motion and shifts. However, Macdonald says it will look a bit different than it did at Washington.
"I'm sure it'll look a little bit different than it did at Washington."
Mike Macdonald expects Ryan Grubb's pre-snap motions, shifts to remain big part of scheme, but he referenced Grubb's o-line background being key for building a diverse run game in Seattle.
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) February 12, 2024
8
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