Huard: Might be time for Pete Carroll to re-think Seahawks’ coaching staff
Jan 17, 2017, 10:14 AM
Brock Huard expects that offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell's job is safe in 2017. (AP)
(AP)
The minds behind the Seahawks’ offense have overseen some of the most successful units in franchise history. But when considering the state of the team and the potentially narrowing window for another Super Bowl run, 710 ESPN Seattle’s Brock Huard said it might be time for head coach Pete Carroll to re-think his staff.
“Ninety percent of me really believes that that crew will be back, but for the first time in six years I think it has to be evaluated,” Huard said on the “Blue 42” segment Monday, two days after Seattle’s season-ending playoff loss to the Falcons. “And I think it’s as much about just the team, about Richard (Sherman), about the defense, about the direction, about the window of opportunity.”
The Seahawks struggled with consistency throughout the season, culminating in their 36-20 playoff loss Saturday in Atlanta. The offense ranked 19th in points scored, 12th in total yards, 10th in passing yards and 25th in rushing. Multiple factors contributed to the inconsistencies, including injuries and a young offensive line that was never all that solidified.
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell often receives a brunt of the criticism for struggles on that side of the ball, with some also going to offensive-line coach Tom Cable. On Monday, Carroll confirmed that Cable interviewed for the 49ers’ head-coaching vacancy and said the Seahawks are prepared to search for a replacement if they need to. Carroll has been nothing but complimentary about both coaches in the past. He defended Bevel at an end-of-season press conference Monday when asked about the constant clamoring among many of the team’s fans for a change at offensive coordinator.
“I’m sorry to say this, but they don’t know what they’re talking about, OK?” Carroll said. “Sorry. They don’t know what they’re talking about. Darrell does a great job.”
710 ESPN Seattle’s John Clayton noted how Bevell has also received nothing but praise and confidence from quarterback Russell Wilson, which is why he doesn’t expect any major changes among the coordinators, assuming Cable and/or Trent Kirchner, who is Seattle’s co-director of player personnel, don’t head to San Francisco.
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“I think the staff is pretty much going to stay about the same,” Clayton said Monday.
Still, Huard said Carroll’s primary objective is to “compete,” and that is true in terms of adding talent to the roster as well as ensuring the staff is properly assigned.
“I think (Carroll’s) gonna compete and say, ‘OK, do we have the best staff in every one of these spots? The best receiver coach, the best quarterback coach, the best coordinator, the best whatever, because we have access to make change,'” Huard said, noting that owner Paul Allen and general manager John Schneider have given the coach no budgets or restrictions regarding his staff. “I’ve got pretty much all resources in the world to do whatever I need to do at every single turn to bring the best people in here.”
Huard even mentioned the possibility of kicking the tires on Chip Kelly, the former University of Oregon coach who was fired after one season leading the 49ers.
“If I’m out on that street and I’m evaluating, is Chip Kelly a guy that you may want in this building as an analyst?” Huard asked. “Is Chip Kelly a guy that could come in here and who has worked with the dual-threat quarterbacks in a way that others haven’t? And to say, ‘Hey Chip, why don’t you bring your years of experience in here in a consulting or an analyst role or a QB coach role?’ Does (quarterbacks coach) Carl Smith still want to be here over the long term? Or (do) you move Carl Smith to an analyst role?”
Huard added that he liked the way Falcons head coach and former Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn set up his staff in Atlanta, placing assistants in non-traditional roles. That included making former head coach and defensive coordinator Raheem Morris the team’s wide receivers’ coach.
“You want the best people on the bus and I think that this staff, and I think this head coach, will be committed to doing so,” Huard said.
