The Seahawks’ season came to an end with a groan that led many to believe that major changes were needed. A few days after Seattle’s wild card loss to the Rams, there was one.
On Tuesday, the Seahawks announced that the team and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer mutually agreed to separate, citing philosophical differences.
Brian Schottenheimer is a fantastic person and trainer and we thank him for the past three years. Citing philosophical differences, we split up.
– Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 13, 2021
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Schottenheimer was fired, however, instead of a mutual separation.
Seahawks fired OC Brian Schottenheimer. His attack set a series of Seahawks records. But after meeting last night, it was evident that there were philosophical differences between Schottenheimer and HC Pete Carroll. They decided that the separation was in the best interest of both sides.
– Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 13, 2021
Schottenheimer’s three seasons as Seahawks’ offensive coordinator have yielded mixed results, with a 2018 full of races discouraging many before the team slowly tended in the right direction in the pass / race divisions. Schottenheimer also helped Seattle finish in the top 10 in scoring in each of its three seasons and helped improve Russell Wilson’s pocket game.
In 2020, the team and Wilson had a historic start, before quickly regressing. At the end of the season, both the defender and the attack looked broken. Instead of joining the main coaching carousel, as reported, Schottenheimer will now look for a new job.
Schottenheimer’s departure will cause Pete Carroll to sign the fourth offensive coordinator for his Seattle term, after Jeremy Bates and Darrell Bevell came before Schottenheimer.