The Seattle Seahawks have initiated the interviewing process to select their next head coach, with the candidates so far being familiar faces in the NFL. However, when the Seahawks secured Pete Carroll, it was considered an unconventional choice.
There are speculations circulating that Seattle might explore the possibility of recruiting Lincoln Riley, the head coach of the USC Trojans, from the USC talent pool. Brock Huard, a former Seahawks quarterback and a Seattle Sports analyst, has identified Riley as a sleeper candidate if general manager John Schneider opts for an “unconventional” selection.
Huard pointed out on the January 11, 2024, episode of “Brock and Salk” that many recently dismissed coaches have defensive backgrounds, making Riley stand out as an unconventional choice. According to Huard, if one were to look for the most brilliant offensive mind, strategist, and playcaller, Lincoln Riley would be a notable candidate, showcasing his exceptional skills in those areas.
USC Head Coach Lincoln Riley Signed an $110 Million Contract With the Trojans: Report
By the time we got done talking to @AlbertBreer today, I was pretty much ready to sign up for Mike Vrabel as the next coach of the Seahawks. There's also a good nugget here on Lincoln Riley who remains intriguing as well. pic.twitter.com/E2BsAmEpYw
— Mike Salk, Seattle Sports (@TheMikeSalk) January 17, 2024
Acquiring Lincoln Riley as the head coach for the Seattle Seahawks could potentially require a significant financial investment, given his current lucrative $110 million contract with the USC Trojans, which also includes perks like unlimited jet access for his family.
According to Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated, the idea of Riley showing interest in the Seahawks position is not farfetched. In an interview on “Brock and Salk” on January 16, Breer expressed his belief that Riley is genuinely open to making the transition to the NFL. Despite the Seahawks publicly interviewing other NFL coaches, Breer sees Riley as a sensible and viable candidate for the position.
Breer added, “I don’t think it’s a bad idea at all, especially at a time when it seems like the pipeline of offensive coaches in the NFL is running a little bit dry due to the numerous hires on that side of the ball in recent years.”
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