For the first time in a long time, the Seattle Seahawks are searching for a new head coach. The transition away from Pete Carroll is sure to be a difficult one – both emotionally and in football terms. Not many coaches are able to win 147 games over the course of 14 seasons in this league.
The primary challenge for whoever fills Carroll’s impossibly large (presumably Monarchs) shoes will have to deal with the juggernaut in the City by the Bay, the San Francisco 49ers. Led by offensive guru Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers have become the class of the league.
But one potential candidate might just have the silver bullet: Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
We were kicking around some names today on MTS pod for SEA HC opening. One that came to mind- Jim Schwartz. He has HC experience, won SB as DC with PHI & has CLE defense playing lights out. However, the main reason was his record vs Kyle Shanahan. I believe he's 8-1 in their…
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 11, 2024
There is one thing inaccurate about this tweet from Daniel Jeremiah: Schwartz’s teams are now actually 9-1 against Shanahan, which includes Cleveland knocking San Francisco from the ranks of the unbeatens in a 19-17 Week 6 win. Schwartz’s success is documented here.
It is unknown which direction the Seahawks will go when it comes to finding their next head coach. Carroll was known as defensive-minded, but his defenses for the last two years have been atrocious. Perhaps Seattle will buck the trend of offensive coaches and find someone to right the ship on the other side of the ball.
Schwartz has not been a head coach since he was fired by the Detroit Lions in 2013. But given how good his defenses have been everywhere he’s gone, perhaps now is the time for a second shot.
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