Shane Waldron- Meet the Candidate- Part 10 of 12

[ProcessBlue2]

I haven't forgotten about him.

Shane Waldron, OC- Seattle Seahawks

          Waldron received some HC candidate attention after Geno Smith’s break out year. He is a 44-year-old Oregon native who played college football at Tufts as Long Snapper and TE until his graduation in 2002. After college, he served as an Operations Intern and then Operations Assistant from 2002-2004 for the New England Patriots. Following this, he spent time as a Graduate Assistant on Notre Dame’s coaching staff from 2005-2007 (you guessed it, Charlie Weis).

           In 2008, he was hired as an Offensive Quality Control Coach for the Patriots and promoted to Tight Ends coach in 2009. However, his career would hit a ditch and in 2010 he was shipped to Europe where he coached the Hartford Colonials before falling to the high school ranks at BB&N as Offensive Coordinator. He would spend 2012-2015 at UMASS coaching TEs a couple of years followed by the Offensive Line for a couple of years before finally getting another shot at the NFL in 2016 when Redskins’ OC Sean McVay gave him a shot as Offensive Quality Control Coach. McVay liked Waldron enough that he brought him to LA the following year to serve on his staff after being named the new HC of the Rams.

           In LA, Waldron served as Tight Ends Coach in 2017 and Passing Game Coordinator from 2018-2020 before getting his current role of Offensive Coordinator with Seattle in 2021. During his time in Seattle his units have ranked and are currently ranked:

2021

Overall-20^th

Pass-23^rd

Run- 11^th

2022

Overall- 12^th

Pass- 12^th

Run- 18^th

2023

Overall-22^nd

Pass-15^th

Run-29^th

           It was reported that Wilson wanted Waldron due to his success with McVay’s system in LA following the termination of former Seahawk’s OC Brian Schottenheimer. However, Wilson would be catapulted out of Seattle the following season. One potential positive from Waldron is that he does have experience calling plays, this will be his 3^rd consecutive season. Some Seattle fans want him to take the reins once Carroll retires. Others would enjoy running him out of town yesterday and consider his success with Geno last year a fluke. I imagine his stock has went down some from last season, but I think he will still get a fair amount of interest from a HC needy cycle.

           He doesn’t have any overlap with Fitterer in Seattle (which is a good thing) and coached alongside Ejiro Evero in LA which may convince him to potentially stick around on his well-paid DC contract should his HC search not yield results. Overall, I don’t view Waldron as a horrible candidate. I have him ranked in my “tier two” section. There is just a lot of gray with Waldron. For example, he could have HC consideration, he could sit in place and take over for Carroll (should he retire), he could be cast away if Carroll’s team is dissolved following retirement and need work as an OC- just a lot of gray. Regardless of here or somewhere else, I’ll be interested to see just what his next 2-3 years look like. He gives me the impression of a guy who can be an overnight sensational HC or a guy coaching TEs again somewhere.

 

Hi all,

I have 3 posts left. Parts 11 and 12, and then I will finish up with an Honor Mentions/Predictions post. I have been out of work on medical the last few weeks and doing this has kept me sane. I appreciate those of you that have taken the time to read these and collaborated. I obviously don’t do this for a living, but with my ability to move being temporarily limited I have needed this to occupy my mind and I appreciate you all letting me do this.

Thanks Again.

[callofthewild]

I have really enjoyed these, and prayers sent for whatever medical challenge you are dealing with. Keep pounding! 

[Bear Hands]

Waldron is the one I’m keeping an eye on if B Johnson doesn’t pan out. Waldron or maybe poach Canales from TB. 

[shaq]

Wish you a speedy recovery, good work with these posts! Look forward to the last 3!

[thunderraiden]

Thanks for this and Happy Holidays!

Can we get one on Mike Macdonald?

He has shot up to #2 most likely to be new Panthers HC in betting. I like his resume. Could be an upgraded version of Wilks.

Edited December 26, 2023 by thunderraiden

[ProcessBlue2]

2 minutes ago, thunderraiden said:

Thanks for this and Happy Holidays!

Can we get one on Mike Macdonald?

He has shot up to #2 most likely to be new Panthers HC in betting. I like his resume. Could be an upgraded version of Wilks.

Sure thing. I had him as an honorable mention but with the recent movement, I think that pushes him into the Top 12.

[X-Clown]

This is the guy I was hoping for if we didn’t get Steichen last year. Has helped Geno Smith develop from a veteran backup to a good starter and even had Drew Lock looking serviceable when he has played. 

[thunderraiden]

7 minutes ago, ProcessBlue2 said:

Sure thing. I had him as an honorable mention but with the recent movement, I think that pushes him into the Top 12.

Yeah and I just found out he graduated Summa Cum Laude from UGA... in FINANCE. Tepper is going to jizz his pants.

[methodtoll]

1 hour ago, thunderraiden said:

Thanks for this and Happy Holidays!

Can we get one on Mike Macdonald?

He has shot up to #2 most likely to be new Panthers HC in betting. I like his resume. Could be an upgraded version of Wilks.

Not to mention that he has worked under both Harbaughs 

[Wolfcop]

I haven’t had time to read all these, but I will when the coaching search starts in earnest in a few weeks. Thank you and prayers for a speedy recovery! 

Edited December 27, 2023 by Wolfcop