'Home-Run Hire!' Ravens' John Harbaugh, Eric DeCosta Praise Seahawks' Mike Macdonald
The Seattle Seahawks took somewhat of a risk in their head-coaching hire, going from the oldest coach in the league in Pete Carroll to the youngest in Mike Macdonald.
Macdonald's body of work was never in question, as he just led a Baltimore Ravens defense that allowed the fewest points in the league this season. Still, hiring someone as young as the 36-year-old Macdonald to his first-head coaching job always comes with a bit of risk, even after Sean McVay ushered in a youth movement among head coaches.
If one were to ask those who've worked with Macdonald, there's absolutely nothing to be worried about, quite the opposite, in fact. At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, longtime Ravens coach John Harbaugh heaped heavy praise on his now-former defensive coordinator.
"I think Mike will do great," Harbaugh told reporters Tuesday. "Mike's great. A couple years ago, everybody was like, 'Why Mike Macdonald?' Now I can go, 'Well, that's why. You saw it.' He's a great guy, he's a great coach, he's very diligent. Yes, he's smart, he's thoughtful, but he's fundamentally grounded and he's very diligent. Every single day, all he thinks about is ways to help the guys be as good as they can be, or attack the offense that he's going against. I do think he'll expand that being a head coach, he'll take those qualities and apply them to being a head coach and do a great job."
Macdonald and Harbaugh have an extensive history together, as the former's entire NFL coaching experience has come under the latter. Macdonald began his NFL career as an intern with the Ravens in 2014 and gradually worked his way up the coaching ladder. After a one-year stint as the defensive coordinator at Michigan, where he worked under Harbaugh's brother Jim Harbaugh, Macdonald returned to Baltimore to become the leader of the Ravens' defense.
Also during his extensive time with the Ravens, Macdonald became close with general manager Eric DeCosta. Just like Harbaugh, DeCosta strongly believes that Macdonald will be a great fit in Seattle.
"He'll do great," DeCosta said. "… Very innovative, organized, he's a motivator, he's a great person, respectful, players love him, coaches love him. He's a home-run hire by the Seahawks."
