Reports: Seahawks hiring Mike Macdonald as head coach

Field Level Media|published: Wed 31st January, 13:57 2024

Dec 31, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald on the sidelines during the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. credits: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Seahawks are hiring Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald as their head coach, ESPN and NFL Network reported Wednesday.

The Seahawks will go from having the oldest head coach in the NFL, with Pete Carroll at 72, to the youngest in the league with Macdonald, 36.

NFL Network reported Macdonald will receive a six-year deal.

Macdonald helped the Ravens earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC in 2023, with his defense finishing first in scoring defense (16.5 points per game) and sixth in the NFL in total defense (301.4 yards per game).

Baltimore's season ended on Sunday with a 17-10 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.

Macdonald has massive shoes to fill in Carroll, whose 14-year tenure ended after a 9-8 season in 2023. Carroll is the winningest coach in franchise history (137-89-1) and guided the Seahawks to their only championship in Super Bowl XLVIII.

Seattle finished 25th in scoring defense (23.6 points per game) and 30th in total defense (371.4 yards per game) while missing the playoffs in 2023.

Macdonald also interviewed this winter with the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders.

He just completed his second season as the defensive coordinator for the Ravens. He held the same position at the University of Michigan in 2021 following seven seasons on the Ravens' coaching staff (2014-20).

—Field Level Media

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