We’ve been trying to figure out why the Seahawks want to hire Pete Carroll, whose tenure as head coach of the Jets and Patriots generated mixed reviews at best — and whose star has faded a bit at USC over the past couple of years.
As we’ve heard it, the Seahawks are going “big-game hunting.” And that’s fine. But if that’s the case, why didn’t they put Mike Shanahan at the top of their list?
Look, we’ve articulated our concerns regarding the possibility that Shanahan’s NFL credentials might not be as good as they appear. But they’re unquestionably better than Carroll’s. Indeed, Carroll’s Patriots twice qualified for the postseason, in 1997 and 1998. In both seasons, Shanahan’s Broncos won the Super Bowl.
We’re told, however, that the Seahawks had no interest in Shanahan. None.
And it makes no sense. None.
Surely, money wasn’t an issue. Seahawks owner Paul Allen is one of the richest men in the world; if he wanted to outbid Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, he could have.
The other issue could be control. Per Charley Casserly of CBS, the Seahawks plan to give the coach control over the 53-man roster, and the G.M. control over the draft. Shanahan would have wanted control over both.
Then again, money can help to blur those lines a bit — especially if Shanahan would have had a voice in the identity of the G.M.
Regardless, it’s surprising that the Seahawks didn’t at least sniff around Shanahan. Despite concerns about his third act as an NFL head coach, his second act was a lot better than Carroll’s.
Smart club!
Because Shanahan’s defense failed him as his Denver years came to an end.
Another thing: the Seahawks were formerly division rivals with Shanahan’s Broncos. Do you think the Packers could ever hire Mike Ditka as their coach? It would not go over well with the cheese dorks, to put it mildly.
You are a moron.
“The Redskins are stupid for hiring Shanny.”
“The Seahawks are stupid for not hiring Shanny.”
I’m stupid for reading your articles.
Wow Florio, is it possible for a coach to improve? I mean all you want to talk about is PC’s record in NY and NE. And that his luster is worn off at USC. Have you looked at his record their? It’s impossible to continue a run like that. The Jets were crap at the time. Kotite did nothing with that team and got fired. And shit it was over 1o years ago. PC has an enormous network of coaches to bring in and right the ship. Shanahan is bringing in his son for f’s sake to run his offense. It doesn’t surprise me in the least that the Seahawks were not interested. Do you proff read this blather before you post it?
I’m thinking the Seahawks (or the people in the Seahawks front office), took one look at Shanahan and said “Holgrem reduz”.
The 2 have very similar styles and backgrounds. If they had wanted the Big Dog, they would have brought him back, no point in going for someone who is pretty much just the same as him then.
Maybe they shouldn’t tear down Giant Stadium yet!!
we all thought Norv Turner was the wrong choice for San Diego because of his average record. Look how well he has turned out.
Holmgren as both the GM and coach did not work out, perhaps due to not being able to devote full attention to the GM role.
I would think Allen wanted a separate coach and GM because of that. Shanahan’s less-than-stellar record in the personnel department isn’t good, either.
That’s why I’m not sure yet how the Carroll situation is going to work out because I’m not sure if he will get the final say on personnel without being able to put in all the work evaluating free agents and draftees.
That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard so the GM is in charge of the draft, but the coach is in charge of who is on the team.
What if the GM picks players that the coach doesn’t want, this is BS PC will be in charge of everything.
Florio Shanny won two SB with his pick Davis leading the way not an old John Elway.
If Elway was so great then why didn’t he win a SB before Shanny took over, when he was in his prime.
Shanny took Jake Plummer to a 13-3 record and the AFC championship game nuff said.
No, the GM should be in charge of the team. He should be the one responsible for hiring (or firing) the head coach and bringing in the players who will work in the coach’s system.
Of course a GM can’t function without a coach’s input on what he wants and what players on the team are worth keeping or replacing, but is a coach in a position to see the overall picture and study film of potential free agents and lesser draft picks when he’s busy prepping for the next game his team will play?
Coaching, coordinating scouting, keeping track of pro free agents, watching film of the opponents, watching film of the other teams in the league, watching film of draft picks, watching film of potential free agents, keeping track of street free agents if injuries require emergency replacements.
Bean counters rarely do well in that position because they don’t know enough about it. And the league is so competitive that I find it hard to believe a coach can do all that better than a team where a GM is going to put in more hours at scouting etc than a coach with heavy coaching responsibilities.
Pete Carroll never had John Elway. Shanahan did.
Well, Florio’s year-long campaign to get Mangini fired flopped, so now he has to put someone else in his sights.
leatherneck says: January 10, 2010 1:01 PM
“Another thing: the Seahawks were formerly division rivals with Shanahan’s Broncos. Do you think the Packers could ever hire Mike Ditka as their coach? It would not go over well with the cheese dorks, to put it mildly.”
Uh, you do realize what team Shanahan was head coach of before the Broncos, right?
Super bowls were thanks to Elway and TD. Shanny doesnt have the skills to build a successful program like Carroll and Shanny’s face looks like it is made of leather pulled tight over a jagged rock. Weird-looking guy.