RENTON, Wash. – Pete Carroll, the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks for the past 14 seasons, will be stepping down from his role. Carroll met with team ownership to discuss his future with the organization. In an emotional press conference, Carroll expressed his desire to continue the team’s success but acknowledged that it was time for a change. General manager John Schneider will now assume full control of the organization. While Carroll did not disclose his future role, he made it clear that he will not be involved in the selection of his successor. Schneider, who has never hired a head coach before, has the option to maintain the team’s successful culture or take a different direction.
Several potential candidates have emerged for the vacant head coach position. One candidate is Dan Quinn, the current defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. Quinn previously worked as Carroll’s defensive line coach and coordinated the Seahawks’ championship-winning team in 2013. He has been requested for interviews by multiple teams in previous coaching cycles. Another potential candidate is Dave Canales, the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Canales has a history with Carroll, having worked in various coaching roles for the Seahawks before joining the Buccaneers.
Former head coaches Steve Wilks, Leslie Frazier, Mike Vrabel, and Jim Harbaugh are also among the candidates being considered. Wilks, currently the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, previously had a brief stint as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Frazier, the former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, most recently served as the defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. Vrabel was recently fired as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans after six seasons. Harbaugh, the head coach of the University of Michigan football team, previously had success as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
Additionally, there are several potential first-time coaches being considered. Eric Bieniemy, the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, has won two championships with the Kansas City Chiefs and has been a sought-after candidate for head coaching positions. Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, has impressed with the team’s offensive performance. Todd Monken, the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, has been instrumental in the team’s success this season.
On the defensive side, Ejiro Evero, the defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, has shown promise with the team’s defense. Mike Macdonald, the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, has also garnered attention for his coaching abilities.
The search for the next head coach of the Seattle Seahawks is underway, and interviews with potential candidates are already being conducted. The decision will ultimately rest with general manager John Schneider, who will be looking for the right fit to lead the team to continued success.