Darnold: How Seahawks coach Macdonald excels at culture-building

As many players and analysts have emphasized, the Seattle Seahawks’ tight-knit culture played a key role in their run to a Super Bowl title last season.

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Quarterback Sam Darnold elaborated on that culture during an appearance last week on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast with former NFL players Will Compton and Taylor Lewan.

“We always say it in our building – loose and focused,” Darnold said. “Like, during practice you see (players) laughing and joking around when they’re not in, and then once they get in, it’s like a switch is flipped and … all of a sudden everybody’s locked into doing their job. And if they don’t do their job, they’re (ticked off) about it.

“To have a group that’s all on the same page doing that, man, it’s a special group. It’s fun to be a part of.”

Darnold said that “loose and focused” culture ultimately stems from head coach Mike Macdonald.

“He wants us to be that way,” Darnold said. “He wants us to be joking around and laughing, … but once we’re talking about football or installing (plays) on the practice field, he expects us to be locked in. And if we’re not, then he might reel us in a little bit.

“But he expects us, the players, to be able to reel guys in. And if we don’t do that as leaders, then he’ll come to us and be like, hey guys, we’re a little too loose at practice. We’ve gotta lock into these situations.”

Macdonald is most known for being arguably the brightest defensive mind in the NFL. With his cutting-edge scheme, the Seahawks led the NFL in scoring defense last season, and Macdonald became the first head coach in league history to win a Super Bowl as his team’s primary defensive play caller.

But Darnold said Macdonald’s knack for culture-building is also among his greatest strengths.

“He’s got such a great feel for the locker room and for the guys, and I think that’s one of his biggest traits,” Darnold said. “Obviously he’s a really, really good defensive coordinator, but his ability to just kind of feel out the locker room and feel out the vibe (stands out), because I’m sure you guys have been around coaches who aren’t necessarily great at feeling the vibe.”

Darnold also praised Macdonald’s authenticity.

“He is so authentic to who he is and he’s never going to try to change for anybody,” Darnold said. “And I think as players – as adults too – you appreciate a coach like that. You appreciate a guy that’s just gonna keep it real in front of everybody and truly be himself.”

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