On Thursday, Tim Ruskell officially stepped away from his position at the top of the Seahawks organization.
At a press conference, CEO Tod Leiweke explained that the “exacting standards” of owner Paul Allen coupled with an effort by Ruskell to “seek clarity” as to his future role resulted in the decision to part ways.
Specifically, Ruskell resigned. One league source pointed out that, technically, Ruskell would not be entitled to pay for the final five games of his five-year contract. But we suspect that the mutual agreement to separate entailed an understanding that Ruskell will be paid the balance of his contract.
“Quite simply we didn’t win enough games,” Leiweke said, per the Tacoma News Tribune. “And I think
that when you’re 4-12, there’s obviously expectations that follow that
in the next season, and we simply didn’t win enough games.”
V.P. of player personnel Ruston Webster will take the position of G.M. on an interim basis, and he’ll reportedly be a candidate for the full-time gig. But the same accountability that resulted in Ruskell’s departure likely will keep Webster, Ruskell’s right-hand man, from landing the position.
The fact that a new G.M. will be joining the team possibly puts coach Jim Mora in jeopardy of exiting after only one year — especially with a glut of high-end coaches available in the coming hiring cycle.
“The fact that a new G.M. will be joining the team possibly puts coach Jim Mora in jeopardy of exiting after only one year — especially with a glut of high-end coaches available in the coming hiring cycle.”
Maybe, but Holmgren is hired as GM you would think Mora would be safe.
Tod Leiweke said that they hope to retain Mora, and I think they’ll try to find a guy who’ll give Mora a chance at least.
If Holmgren is hired, you need to get a Holmgren guy in as head coach, and Gruden is a Holmgren guy.
Even if Holmgren is not hired the Seahawks need to get a new head coach. Mora is a players coach. The Hawks need a coach that the players are affraid to come to the bench when they screw up. Mora is not that guy.
Time to see if Jon Gruden’s new ESPN contract has an escape clause. It’s got to.
Seattle needs a foul-mouthed coach with a temper tantrum to put some black and blue back into this city’s sports image. Sounders soccer and neon green just ain’t cuttin it.
A Holmgren-Gruden marriage? Methinks so.
Who knows? If Mike Holmgren comes in as the new GM and….. with the money Paul Allen has, Holmgren might want Mike Shanahan to coach the Seahawks.
With every year that passes, I think Mora Jr. gets a clearer picture of the fantastic opportunity he blew in Atlanta.