Pete Carroll is one of the most impactful figures in Seattle sports history, so when the mutual decision was made for Carroll to move on from his position as the Seahawks’ head coach following the 2023 season, anybody replacing him was going to have a tough road in following a guy who completely redefined the franchise on and off the field.
The team took its time in deciding on Carroll’s replacement, hiring Mike Macdonald on Jan. 31, 2024 — three weeks after Carroll “stepped down.” The former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator had put together great units on that side of the ball both in the Charm City, and for Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines in 2021.