Jim Mora to Succeed Seattle Seahawks Coach Mike Holmgren for the 2009 Season

[NYCARDS]

http://sports.iwon.com/news/02062008/v0503.html

By GREGG BELL
KIRKLAND, Wash. (AP) -Jim Mora will succeed Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, beginning with the 2009 season.

After serving as the assistant head coach and defensive backs coach for one more season, the 46-year-old Mora will begin a new, four-year contract as the head coach.

Seahawks president Tim Ruskell and chief executive officer Tod Leiweke both emphasized during a news conference Wednesday that the move gives the team stability and unity.

"What (Holmgren's) done here, by announcing his retirement a year ahead of time, has afforded this organization to make a smooth transition, to be seamless, to be non-chaotic," Ruskell said. "Which is kind of rare in the sports world - certainly in the NFL.

"We all know about the elongated processes and the back-stabbing, some of the ugly things that can go on. Well, we're not going to have that."

Holmgren pushed for the announcement now, so players who are poised to enter free agency next month can judge Seattle while knowing who its coach will be beyond next season.

"This makes a lot of sense for the organization," Holmgren said in a team statement. "Jim is a talented coach who already had a measure of success in this league and has all the tools here needed to succeed."

Both Holmgren and Mora chose not to attend the news conference because Ruskell said they didn't want to "make a big splash" and overlook the team's mission for 2008: sending Holmgren out with the franchise's first Super Bowl title, after five consecutive playoff appearances.

"I am extremely excited about the future, but completely focused on the opportunity we have in front of us this season," Mora said in the statement.

"I would like to thank Mike Holmgren, who has helped me immensely this past season, and from whom I have learned a great deal."

The former Atlanta coach took the Falcons to the NFC championship in 2004, his first season in Atlanta, and Ruskell's only season as player personnel director there before he became Seattle's president and general manager. The Falcons, 26-22 under Mora, fired Mora on New Year's Day, 2007.

The 59-year-old Holmgren announced two weeks ago that he would fulfill only the final season of his contract in 2008 and then leave the team after 10 seasons. He is the team's all-time leader in coaching victories with 86. He has 170 in wins 16 seasons with Green Bay and Seattle, one behind former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs for 10th in NFL history.

 

[Pariah]

I like Mora. Sucks he'll be in an enemy camp.

 

[Skkorpion]

I like Mora. Sucks he'll be in an enemy camp.

I agree. But Seattle will backslide this year.

 

[SuperSpck]

It'll be interesting to see how this works I don't think he got a very fair shake in ATL.

 

[1DS]

So Seattle doesn't have to interview a black candidate? Whatever happened to the Rooney rule?

 

[MigratingOsprey]

i don't think there will be any backslide this year

as for mora - i'm mixed on his abilities - i really liked him as the DC in SF .... however I have some concerns about what he was able to do in Atl in the head spot

i think it's nice that he has familiarity with the staff and management from last year so that level of comfort is there

I also like that he'll be involved with the team this year - this will help keep the players from even having the thought of slacking under a "last year coach" - they will be auditioning for the new coach who can watch them everyday

the loss of zorn is a concern for the development of some of the younger QBs and the offense in general

It will be interesting to see what happens with the direction of the offense and Gil Haskell (the OC) as a defensive minded coach takes over the front position

 

[MigratingOsprey]

So Seattle doesn't have to interview a black candidate? Whatever happened to the Rooney rule?

You can name a successor as long as it's stipulated in their contract without going through a formal interview process - this leaves the rooney rule out of the equation

 

[Buckybird]

Good for us!!!!

 

[Diamondback Jay]

So Seattle doesn't have to interview a black candidate? Whatever happened to the Rooney rule?

It'd be extremely hypocritical by league standards if they made a stink about this after Jim Cauldwell was named coach in waiting for the Colts.

 

[SeaChicken]

It'd be extremely hypocritical by league standards if they made a stink about this after Jim Cauldwell was named coach in waiting for the Colts.

They won't. Even the attorney who helped craft the Rooney Rule says it's kosher which is a relief because I was concerned that we'd end up as the center of some offseason drama. We definitely don't need that.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks/0-5-377/Jim-Mora--the-Seahawks-and-the-Rooney-Rule.html

"Look, we don't want anyone to do any end-run around the Rooney Rule," said civil-rights attorney Cyrus Mehri, whose work on behalf of the Fritz Pollard Alliance helped shape the process, "but if you already had contractual succession planned, and that means in writing, then we don't have a problem with that."
...
"We're just trying to be consistent," Mehri said. "Consistent with what happened with Mike Martz following Dick Vermeil (with the Rams) and Caldwell following Dungy.

"What has happened in Seattle seems to be following exactly the same approach. And I got reassurances today from the league that it follows the exact same language as with Caldwell, so really it's the identical situation."

 

[SeaChicken]

I agree. But Seattle will backslide this year.

Skkorp, you've got to admit that there's a little bit of humor in how many times that has been said over the past five years. Logic says that if you keep on saying it, you'll eventually be right.

 

[DaisyCutter]

Skkorp, you've got to admit that there's a little bit of humor in how many times that has been said over the past five years. Logic says that if you keep on saying it, you'll eventually be right.

I was thinking the same thing. People say this every year, but it's hard to remember the last season that they didn't win the division. It has to happen eventually--but the other teams in the West are more likely going to have to catch up to them.

I'll kind of believe this when I see it. Wasn't Gregg Williams supposed to be the HC succeeding in Washington DC?

 

[SeaChicken]

I was thinking the same thing. People say this every year, but it's hard to remember the last season that they didn't win the division. It has to happen eventually--but the other teams in the West are more likely going to have to catch up to them.

I'll kind of believe this when I see it. Wasn't Gregg Williams supposed to be the HC succeeding in Washington DC?

Yeah, he was being considered but they ended up not giving it to him so he took the DC position in JAX.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Skkorp, you've got to admit that there's a little bit of humor in how many times that has been said over the past five years. Logic says that if you keep on saying it, you'll eventually be right.

I know. It is ridiculous.

I have just been saying they suck regardless. It keeps things consistant.

 

[Skkorpion]

Skkorp, you've got to admit that there's a little bit of humor in how many times that has been said over the past five years. Logic says that if you keep on saying it, you'll eventually be right.

I picked Seattle to go back to the Super Bowl this year. Then I saw how pathetic your big time FAs were in the playoffs.

Patrick Kearney and Julian Peterson were complete no-shows in Green Bay.

As was Tatupu who was exposed as an absolute liability in pass coverage.

Throw in a real weakness at RB, a very average WR corps and a nothing motley group at TE headed by choking aged Pollard, a real problem at OG on both sides and what all that defines is a decent team with lots of needs.

In your favor is that the NFCW is still weak -- you hope.

 

[SeaChicken]

I picked Seattle to go back to the Super Bowl this year. Then I saw how pathetic your big time FAs were in the playoffs.

Patrick Kearney and Julian Peterson were complete no-shows in Green Bay.

As was Tatupu who was exposed as an absolute liability in pass coverage.

Throw in a real weakness at RB, a very average WR corps and a nothing motley group at TE headed by choking aged Pollard, a real problem at OG on both sides and what all that defines is a decent team with lots of needs.

In your favor is that the NFCW is still weak -- you hope.

The way you laid it out there, calling it a "decent team" would be putting it kindly. Good thing it's a biased overstatement or I'd be worried. We've got our weaknesses to be sure. Will they be the death of us this year? I don't know. I was just saying that I got a chuckle reading that "this was our year to go down in flames". Maybe it is, maybe it's not. But it's a pretty tired prediction, don't ya' think?

Chill out man. I was just breakin' your balls (and only slightly). Didn't mean to get you worked up into a rant. For the sake of the holes that the Seahawks have and indeed the many question marks surrounding the Cardinals, it's a good thing there's free agency and the draft... although I must admit that I'm a little jealous on draft day because you guys always get to pick before us.

 

[SeaChicken]

I know. It is ridiculous.

I have just been saying they suck regardless. It keeps things consistant.

That's the spirit. Keep it simple.

 

[Skkorpion]

Seachicken, I was just busting your chops but also trying to get a rise out of the guys on this board who just love every free agent.

If I used emoticons it would ruin the bait.

Julian Peterson was worth every penny Seattle gave him. Just don't let anyone here know I said that.

San Diego and Seattle are my two favorite non-Cards team. Guess I'll have to start working up a real hatred for the hawks.

 

[SeaChicken]

Seachicken, I was just busting your chops but also trying to get a rise out of the guys on this board who just love every free agent.

If I used emoticons it would ruin the bait.

Julian Peterson was worth every penny Seattle gave him. Just don't let anyone here know I said that.

San Diego and Seattle are my two favorite non-Cards team. Guess I'll have to start working up a real hatred for the hawks.

For what it's worth, you guys were our main competition this year. At least that's a starter toward a rivalry. Come to think of it, you guys finished second in the division this year, didn't you?

 

[Stout]

For what it's worth, you guys were our main competition this year. At least that's a starter toward a rivalry. Come to think of it, you guys finished second in the division this year, didn't you?

C'mon, a starter towards a rivalry? It is a rivalry and you know it. We split this year and we split last year. We're at least a thorn-in-your-side rival by now

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Guess I'll have to start working up a real hatred for the hawks.

Warning: Seachicken.....avert your eyes.

Skorp,
Any help you need with this I am an expert on the subject.

You can start with the stupid 12th man thing. Sorry, it was and still is a cliche' and it is stupid.

Go to the clip of that dumb schmuck in the glitter wig that they love to show on TV.

Then you can go the Walrus of a head coach who lead the his team of complainers and whiners.

Personally, I don't know how anyone can stand Matt Hasselbeck for a split second. His arrogance is second to none.

Then you can go onto looking at Stephan Alexander, who is the most overrated, selfish, pretentious jerk I of a RB I have ever seen.

Plus if you go back a couple of years ago, you can remember the complete lack of respect the Hawks gave our organization, EVEN AFTER WE WOULD BEAT THEM. (I will admit they have started giving us respect, thanks Marcus Trufant but still ****)

Plus they are our division rival.

Plus Seattle sux.

I could go on, but that is it off the top of my head.

 

[CardLogic]

Considering that Seattle was in the Super Bowl only two years ago, I submit that they have already slid!