Top Five Coach of the Year Candidates

Pete Carroll

The Seahawks run was supposed to be over. The Legion of Boom was gone. Richard Sherman was in San Francisco. Kam Chancellor had retired. Earl Thomas was holding out while Cliff Avril was injured and Michael Bennett moved onto Philadelphia. With K.J. Wright banged up the only surviving member was Bobby Wagner.

This team was not supposed to compete. Then, Pete Carroll completely turned them around with his style of play. This seems to be a team where coaching can clearly be pointed to for a fix in the roster. Their first-round pick has hardly made any impact on the team.

They hired a new offensive line coach and a new offensive coordinator who is focused on running the football. With the double additions, they have an identity that contrasts many in the NFL and gives a funky idea to scheme against.

The team slipped early in the season but had found their footing as of late since their identity is formed. They play sound special teams, dominate time of possession and win with field position. It helps the defense which helps the offense. All of this is sound coaching.

However, the Seahawks also came in with the allure of the Seahawks. Like the Chiefs, even with a new quarterback, expectations are a bit high. The team’s over-under win total was nine at the end of the day.
So, they have hardly raised expectations despite the consensus expecting a down year. Pete Carroll is a great nominee but falls a bit short.