Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is searching for his next offensive coordinator after firing Ryan Grubb one day after the season. Macdonald cited differences in offensive philosophies as the reason for the change. So far, three possible successors have been announced. The Seahawks will interview Hank Fraley, Detroit Lions offensive line coachformer Chicago Bears Interim coach Thomas Brownand current New Orleans offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
It's possible more candidates emerge before the Seahawks make a final decision. Because we understand the philosophical differences between Macdonald and Grubb, we evaluated the three current candidates from Macdonald's perspective.
Hank Fraley
Grubb's failure to consistently establish an effective running game was one of the key philosophical differences between him and Macdonald. That wouldn't be a problem under Fraley, a hard-nosed offensive line coach who also played professionally in the trenches for 11 seasons.
Fraley hasn't been a coordinator at any level, but his offensive line is one of the league's top-performing units, an area the Seahawks desperately need to improve this offseason. The Lions have a highly explosive one-two punch at running back with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Fraley studied with Dan Campbell in Detroit.
Klint Kubiak
Kubiak is currently the Saints' coordinator, but they are looking for a new head coach. Whoever is appointed may prefer to appoint their own coordinator. That makes Kubiak a realistic candidate in Seattle.
Kubiak is the son of Super Bowl winning coach Gary Kubiak. He is well known in the NFC West, having served as the San Francisco 49ers' passing game coordinator during the 2023 season. The Saints; The offense started 2024 exceptionally well, but became significantly weaker as the season progressed and injuries mounted.
Thomas Brown
Thomas Brown is a surprising candidate. He once enjoyed a red-hot reputation under Sean McVay, but has struggled to build on that momentum since. His stints with the Carolina Panthers and Bears went poorly.
Brown is trying to restore his reputation after landing in poor destinations and coaching spots. His ability to explain his situations to Macdonald will be crucial to his success in the interview. Based on his current resume, Brown would be a disappointing hire.
