By Angelica Medina
SANTA CLARA, California, Feb 8 (Reuters) – Mike Macdonald was preparing to trade his football dreams for finance 12 years ago when a career in coaching seemed an unlikely prospect, but on Sunday his decision to persevere paid off as he led the Seattle Seahawks to victory in the Super Bowl.
Macdonald said their 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots was built on the bonds the team had forged throughout the season.
“We’re in the business of winning football games and to win them, you have to be a great team,” Macdonald told reporters.
“And great teams have people from all over the place that come together. That’s why football is so special.
“You look at that locker room and what people have gone through to get to this point in their career on this particular squad. It’s a beautiful thing, man. It’s really, really powerful.”
The 38-year-old coach, who has been open about how his personal faith journey shaped the Seahawks’ championship culture, became the third-youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl after Sean McVay and Mike Tomlin.
He also became the first coach under 40-years-old to win 17 games in a season including playoffs.
“I think one of the great things about our group is that we grow together. And that’s something that’s part of my life. It’s been a journey. It hasn’t always been that case, my faith hasn’t always been strong,” Macdonald said.
“It’s a journey that we’re in collectively and it’s empowering and it’s inspiring to pursue that part of your life that’s so important.”
Macdonald emphasized that the squad’s “stacking wins” approach required faith in the process and in each other.
“When you talk about stacking wins, which is one of our core philosophies, you have to believe and have faith in the power of doing that over the course of time,” Macdonald explained.
“But if you stick to the process and it is right, then the results will get to where you want.”
In 2013, Macdonald’s search for a coaching opportunity had came up empty and he accepted a job with an accountancy firm. However, just months before starting, Baltimore Ravens assistant Jerry Rosburg offered him an internship.
Starting on the bottom rung, Macdonald climbed the ranks to become Ravens linebackers coach, then defensive coordinator at Michigan and back to Baltimore, where his 2023 unit became the first in NFL history to finish atop the league in points allowed, sacks and takeaways.
Seattle hired him in January 2024, making him the youngest head coach in the league.
On Sunday, Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense sacked Patriots quarterback Drake Maye six times and forced three turnovers, while linebacker Uchenna Nwosu returned a strip-sack 44 yards for a touchdown.
“What you saw today is just the end point of a squad that has been dedicated to becoming this since we walked in the door in April,” Macdonald added.
(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Santa Clara; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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