SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks are set to speak with quite a few different coaches around the league as they search for a replacement for Pete Carroll.
After announcing that Carroll would no longer serve as head coach last week, the Seahawks now have requested seven interviews, according to multiple reports.
Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn was among the names, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Monday citing sources. Quinn’s name was the first mentioned by national reporters in the wake of Carroll’s departure, as he has coached twice on Seattle’s staff in his career and has previous head coaching experience with the Atlanta Falcons.
One issue with Quinn is he didn’t exactly end the season on a high note, as the Cowboys surrendered 48 points to the Green Bay Packers in a stunning Wild Card Weekend loss to eliminate Dallas from the playoffs.
Raheem Morris, the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, also has scheduled an interview with Seattle, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported citing sources. Morris is another name that has been floated around by league insiders, as he also features prior head coaching experience on his resume. Morris was also eliminated from the playoffs this past weekend after the Rams lost to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Monday that Ejiro Evero, the defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, has also scheduled an interview with Seattle. Evero has spent most of his coaching career on the West Coast, including being part of the staff for the Rams when they won Super Bowl LVI a few years ago.
Another interesting name the Seahawks requested an interview with is Mike Kafka, the offensive coordinator for the New York Giants, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported citing sources. Kafka is young (age 36) and was still playing in the NFL as of 2015. Kafka was part of the Kansas City Chiefs’ staff that won Super Bowl LIV over the San Francisco 49ers and has spent the past two seasons with the Giants.
Patrick Graham, the current defensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders, was another name reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Monday. Graham led a Raiders defense that was top 10 in fewest points allowed per game. He also has a Super Bowl in his past, having been on the New England Patriots’ staff when they beat the Seahawks in the infamous Super Bowl XLIX.
Last but not least, Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith was requested for an interview by the Seahawks, NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported citing sources. Smith has led one of the NFL’s best offenses the last two seasons along with head coach Mike McDaniel.
Midday Tuesday, a seventh name emerged as a Seahawks target per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero: Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. The Lions won a thrilling playoff game over the Rams on Sunday night, meaning that any in-person interviews with Johnson would have to wait until at least next week.