Former Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren is interested in returning to the team with a front-office role that entails significant influence over the operation.
But there are growing indications he’s not wanted there.
John Clayton of ESPN reports that “there is a small, powerful contingent” that may block Holmgren’s chances of returning.
The leader of the pack undoubtedly is CEO Tod Leiweke, who likely wants to run the show his way -- and who knows that it would be much easier to make that happen by hiring someone who would be indebted to Leiweke for providing the opportunity.
These political realities ignore the question of whether Holmgren is the right man for the job. Clayton proclaims that Holmgren is “clearly the best choice,” which should go a long way toward keeping Clayton in the Big Show’s good graces. But how can Clayton or anyone know the identity of the best candidate without knowing the identity of all of them?
For now, the list of possible choices is unclear, probably because the search firm is asking all potential candidates to keep their status as potential candidates quiet. So without knowing who is and isn’t in the mix, there’s no way of knowing whether the guy who served as both G.M. and coach of the Seahawks for several years before giving up the G.M. title would be able to succeed there as the G.M. only.