On the day Jim Harbaugh returned to the NFL — decreasing the league’s head-coach openings to four — more clarity on the Seahawks’ search for a successor to Pete Carroll was also revealed.
Here’s a recap of Wednesday’s coaching news as it impacted the Seahawks.
Dates for five interviews set
Though it had already been reported the Seahawks would have five coaches in this week for second interviews, dates for some had not been made public.
But as revealed by SI.com, Seattle has one coach per day in town for an interview this week.
Those began Tuesday with Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and continued Wednesday with Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
The rest of the schedule: Thursday, Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn; Friday, Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris; Saturday, Carolina defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
The Seahawks interviewed all five virtually last week, with in-person interviews of coaches currently employed by NFL teams now allowed until this week.
The interviews will also get the Seahawks in compliance with the Rooney Rule, which requires teams to bring in two minority candidates for in-person interviews, after which a coach can be hired at any time.
Could there be more candidates?
Yes, there could.
The reports of the five second interviews this week have indicated that Seattle’s search could broaden.
Specifically, teams seeking a coach cannot hold interviews this week with coaches of any teams remaining in the playoffs.
For now that means they cannot conduct a second interview with Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who was one of the eight coaches the Seahawks held a virtual interview with last week. Conventional wisdom holds that he remains on their list.
As of Wednesday there had yet to be any specific reports or indications that they plan to talk with Johnson next week. Washington and Atlanta reportedly hope to talk with Johnson next week.
SI.com also reported Wednesday that the Seahawks might want to talk with Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.
“It’s known in NFL circles that Seattle has an interest in Macdonald,” SI.com’s Albert Breer wrote.
The Seahawks have yet to talk with Macdonald, and because it has not done so could have to wait until after the Super Bowl to interview him.
As has been noted, NFL rules prevent any coaches who are taking part in the Super Bowl from doing initial interviews in the weeks before the game — only second interviews are permitted.
The Seahawks could have spoken to him virtually by the end of the wild-card weekend but did not.
But if the Ravens lose Sunday to Kansas City, they would be able to talk with Macdonald next week.
As of Wednesday, no other coaches than the five listed for second interviews have been reported as on Seattle’s list for a first or second interview.
And then there were four
The Chargers’ hiring of Harbaugh on Wednesday reduced the number of teams seeking a coach to four — the Seahawks, Atlanta, Carolina and Washington.
Carolina and Washington are thought to be interested in talking with Johnson and Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, meaning both appear unlikely to hire a coach before next week.
The Harbaugh hiring could impact Atlanta’s search. It had been reported that he could have interviewed in person with the Falcons on Thursday. But that won’t happen now.
And that could increase the urgency for Atlanta to get things done with Bill Belichick or Mike Vrabel.
The Falcons have interviewed Belichick twice, and they had former Tennessee coach Vrabel in for an interview Wednesday.
Vrabel was also reportedly set for an interview with Carolina on Thursday. As of Wednesday, there were no reports or indications of the Seahawks having set an interview with Vrabel.
Atlanta had Evero in for a second interview Wednesday and was scheduled to interview Houston offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik on Thursday.
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