Thread Tools

Display Modes

**BU54** · 02-09-2008, 06:41 AM

Passing the torch to Mora
By Danny O'Neil

Seattle Times staff reporter
DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

KIRKLAND — It took 4 minutes to get to his name.

Four minutes in which CEO Tod Leiweke and president Tim Ruskell talked about the franchise's accomplishments under Mike Holmgren, paying tribute before discussing the transition.

Only then did they get to his name: Jim Mora.

He is officially the sideline successor to the Seahawks' iconic coach. Mora agreed to a five-year contract that will begin this season and calls for his promotion to head coach beginning in 2009.

"It's a great thing for an organization to be able to do that," Ruskell said. "Say that openly, and have the head coach endorse that."

Holmgren hinted last month that declaring this his final season gave the franchise the opportunity to chart its future without the urgency that usually accompanies a coaching search. Holmgren was supportive enough to approach Leiweke and Ruskell about formalizing the arrangement. That set in motion discussions with Bob Lamonte, who represents both Holmgren and Mora, and the whole arrangement ended up pretty seamless.

"Mike Holmgren deserves enormous credit for that," Leiweke said. "Because the way he took this decision is different than I think how other people might've taken this decision. He gave us plenty of notice. He facilitated us, encouraged it, and now we have a chance to take the momentum we clearly feel we have as an organization and sustain it."

Holmgren was in Hawaii when Wednesday's announcement was made. He gave his seal of approval in a statement released by the team: "The continuity a move like this provides can only be a good thing moving forward."

Mora coached three seasons in Atlanta before he was fired after the 2006 season. He came to work as a Seahawks assistant coach last season, working with the defensive backs. He did not attend the announcement, and the franchise did its best to keep the announcement low key.

FULL STORY
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...56_hawk07.html

**Professor** · 02-09-2008, 09:13 PM

i can't remember a preemptive HC signing, that is weird

hawk104md · 02-11-2008, 03:16 PM

Hey, give Mike Holmgren a whole lot of credit for thinking this through. He did say he would coach one more season and when it was time for him to step down as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, it would be Jim Mora's turn to take over as the next head coach of the Seattle Seahawks.

Mike Holmgren has a whole lot to be proud of. He has done himself, his family and the Seattle community proud.

Sure, I will miss Mike Holmgren, but I have the utmost respect for what he has achieved.

After 2008, it will not be the same without Mike, but at least he will leave with his dignity intact.

Footballplayer · 02-23-2008, 04:24 PM

This is a very good thing for the seahawks over the next couple of years. A seamless transition from one great coach to another is a good way of keeping the seahawks on the right track. I'm hoping that with his last year however Holmgren will lead the seahawks to a super Bowl win because it would be a fitting end to his career with the seahawks and leave them with some momentum for coming years. Assuming Mora will be able to live up to the legacy Holmgren is leaving, which I think he can.