Source: Mora reaches deal to be Hawks' head coach once Holmgren retires

[Uppity2]

Source: Mora reaches deal to be Hawks' head coach once Holmgren retires

By John Clayton
ESPN.com
Updated: February 6, 2008, 9:30 AM ET


Jim Mora reached a five-year agreement Tuesday that will allow him to transition into the head coaching job with the Seattle Seahawks once Mike Holmgren retires after the season, a source close to Mora told ESPN.com.
Mora will serve the 2008 season as the assistant head coach in charge of the secondary. Once the season is over, Mora, former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, will become the head coach for the next four seasons, according to the contract that was agreed to in principle Tuesday evening.
The Seahawks late Tuesday confirmed a news conference set for noon Wednesday but refused to discuss the topic.
The move wasn't a surprise. General manager Tim Ruskell was looking for a defensive coach to lead the franchise after Holmgren decided he would no longer coach the team. Mora, who played at the University of Washington, wanted to return to the Seattle area to coach. He first suggested the University of Washington, his alma mater. Then the Seahawks came calling with a chance for him to coach the secondary.
Mora's influence in improving the secondary along with improving each of the cornerbacks and safeties was one of the big reasons the Seahawks defense made a dramatic improvement in 2007. He interviewed for the head coaching job with the Washington Commanders but pulled his name out, hoping the Seahawks would make him a "head coach in waiting."
Jim Caldwell worked out a similar deal with the Indianapolis Colts once Tony Dungy decides to retire. Even though the NFL strictly enforces the Rooney Rule that requires teams to interview minority candidates, teams are allowed to promote coaches currently on staff for the future without fear of penalty for not interviewing others.
Now, the Seahawks have a plan in place. Holmgren will coach in 2008. Mora will get the next four years.
John Clayton, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame writers' wing, is a senior writer for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.




http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3233051


Why can't we do similar with Jason Garrett?

 

[Danny White]

We can. And Jerry has probably made that promise.

You can't publicize that, though, because (unlike Holmgren and Dungy) Wade hasn't announced that his retirement is imminent.

 

[Woods]

We can. And Jerry has probably made that promise.

You can't publicize that, though, because (unlike Holmgren and Dungy) Wade hasn't announced that his retirement is imminent.

Of course, when JJ prepares for a succession plan, he's incompetent, and idiot, etc.

But when the Seahawks to it, it's great planning and forward thinking.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

Doesn't matter if Jerry promised it. It has to be on paper as part of Garrett's contract.

 

[Big Dakota]

Doesn't matter if Jerry promised it. It has to be on paper as part of Garrett's contract.

I hear Six Flags stocks are trading for a buck, better grab some.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

I hear Six Flags stocks are trading for a buck, better grab some.

I hear Papa John's is hiring, tell 'em Jerry sent ya.

 

[Danny White]

Doesn't matter if Jerry promised it. It has to be on paper as part of Garrett's contract.

Are you sure about that?

The article simply said:

teams are allowed to promote coaches currently on staff for the future without fear of penalty for not interviewing others

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

One thing about Snyder that I cant make fun of is... his money.... the guy is a REAL DEAL money maker..... everything else he sucks

 

[SkinsandTerps]

Are you sure about that?

Yeah, we were talking about it a few weeks back regarding how it applies to the Rooney rule. There are a couple links for it.

 

[WoodysGirl]

We can. And Jerry has probably made that promise.

You can't publicize that, though, because (unlike Holmgren and Dungy) Wade hasn't announced that his retirement is imminent.

Jerry may have made a promise, but it's not in Garrett's contract.

 

[Bach]

We can. And Jerry has probably made that promise.

You can't publicize that, though, because (unlike Holmgren and Dungy) Wade hasn't announced that his retirement is imminent.

Exactly.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Two things:

1) That is exactly the reason Jerry doesn't do it now with Jason. Wade has made no such remarks about this being his last year, as Dungy and Mike have. That is why Seattle can make a deal like this.

2) I'm a little surprised by the naming of Mora to be the next head guy after Mike is gone next year. Now don't get me wrong, I like Mora alright, but I'm just a little surprised he'd be handed the reigns to Seattle without any thought of who else may be available at this time next year.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

it's probably not against the rules to announce that Garrett is going to be the next HC, it would be just bad form to do so since Wade still has 2 years left