Seahawks Likely to Announce New Offensive Coordinator, History Suggests
The Seattle Seahawks are nearing a decision on their new offensive coordinator. Mike Macdonald, the head coach, is expected to prioritize an internal hire to replace Klint Kubiak. Speculation centers on several candidates, including Jake Peetz and Justin Outten, both currently on the Seahawks’ staff. Andrew Janocko, who followed Kubiak to the Las Vegas Raiders, is also considered a strong candidate.
Historical Context of Internal Promotions
Promoting from within has a historical precedence among Super Bowl-winning teams. In the last decade, four teams have faced a similar situation. Replacing an offensive coordinator usually leads to an internal promotion. Defending champions rarely find themselves replacing a defensive coordinator. This trend may reflect the preference for offensive-minded coaching approaches.
Recent Examples of Successful Internal Promotions
- 2018: Philadelphia Eagles promoted Mike Groh to offensive coordinator after Frank Reich’s departure for Indianapolis.
- 2023: Kansas City Chiefs promoted Matt Nagy from senior assistant to offensive coordinator, following Eric Bieniemy’s move to Washington.
- Last year: Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles elevated Kevin Patullo from pass game coordinator to offensive coordinator after losing Kellen Moore to New Orleans.
Only one instance deviated from this trend. The Los Angeles Rams hired Liam Coen from the University of Kentucky in 2022 as their new offensive coordinator. While Coen was not an internal hire, he had previously worked closely with the Rams’ head coach, Sean McVay.
Factors Influencing Internal Hires
Several factors support the likelihood of the Seahawks retaining an internal candidate:
- Continuity: Internal promotions help maintain the team’s dynamics after a championship win.
- Availability: Most top external candidates are typically hired by early February.
Despite the advantage of internal hires, the Seahawks do have a unique challenge. Mike Macdonald, not being an offensive-minded coach himself, may lean towards hiring a candidate with greater offensive experience than Peetz, Outten, or Janocko. Last season, Macdonald hired Kubiak, indicating that he might seek a similar experienced counterpart this time.
Potential Candidates and Speculations
If Macdonald decides to explore external options, he might consider approaching Klay Kubiak, Klint’s brother, who currently serves as offensive coordinator under Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco. However, such a move remains speculative.
As the Seahawks navigate this pivotal decision, historical trends suggest that their next offensive coordinator may indeed come from within their existing staff.
