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Friday Round-Up: Seahawks Legendary Coach Mike Holmgren Named 2024 Coaches/Contributor Hall of Fame Semifinalist

Beloved Seahawks Legend and Former Coach Mike Holmgren gets another chance at a well-deserved spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Friday, July 14 — about your Seattle Seahawks.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame's annual induction process is a clear indicator that the season is near. On Wednesday, the committee announced 60 semifinalists for the 2024 Hall of Fame Class, including 29 Coach/Contributor semifinalists. Former Seahawks Coach and Ring of Honor Inductee Mike Holmgren is nominated for the third time since 2020 - here's why he deserves to finally receive his gold jacket.

In 2021, Holmgren was inducted into Seattle’s Ring of Honor, paying homage to the man that led Seattle to six playoff appearances, four NFC West Division titles and the first Super Bowl appearance (Super Bowl XL) in franchise history. The second-and-final stop on Holmgren's NFL journey as a head coach put the icing on the cake to a legendary career as a coach and extraordinary offensive mind - and should help solidify his case for a bust in Canton.

The San-Francisco-raised Holmgren's story begins at Abraham Lincoln High as a player, where he starred as a tight-end-turned-quarterback. The 1965 San Francisco Prep Athlete of the Year earned a scholarship to the University of Southern California, where injuries relegated him to backup for the majority of his playing days. But the league took note of the 6'5" Holmgren's potential, as he'd be selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth round of the 1970 draft. After brief stints with the Cardinals and New York Jets, Holmgren returned home to Lincoln as an offensive coordinator and history teacher in 1971 before moving on to Sacred Heart High the following year. After eight years of development on the preparatory level, Holmgren got the opportunity to jump to the collegiate level as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at San Francisco State in 1981. But it was the move he'd make the following year that would promote his leap to the NFL and prompt a Hall of Fame-worthy career.

From 1982-85, Holmgren served as quarterbacks coach for Brigham Young University, developing several quarterbacks and relationships that would change the game of football. Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young was under Holmgren's tutelage from 1982-83, earning consecutive Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Offensive Player of the Year honors, unanimous All-American honors and the Davey O'Brien Award in 1983. Kansas City Chiefs Coach Andy Reid came aboard in 1982 as well as a graduate assistant, where Holmgren would serve as a mentor and the two would develop a relationship that would extend to the NFL. In 1986, Holmgren was hired by the San Francisco 49ers as quarterbacks coach under offensive guru and Head Coach Bill Walsh. In 1987, he'd be reunited with Young, who'd been traded by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to play behind Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana. While making the transition from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator in 1989, Holmgren helped the 49ers win Super Bowls XXIII and XXIV with Montana at the helm. In 1991, Young served as Holmgren's starter due to Montana being sidelined with an elbow injury. The following year, Holmgren would take the Green Bay Packers head coaching job, bringing Reid along with him as assistant offensive line and tight ends coach.

From 1992-98, Holmgren won 75 games and is joined by John Madden, John Harbough, Bill Belichick and Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll as the only coaches to win a playoff game in five-consecutive seasons. In 1997, Holmgren led the Packers to a 35-21 Super Bowl XXXI victory over the New England Patriots and appeared against the Denver Broncos in the championship the following year. After six-consecutive seasons with a winning record and a playoff appearance - Holmgren brought his talents to the Pacific-Northwest.

In 1999, Holmgren would agree to become the Seahawks’ leader, earning a playoff spot that season for the first-of-six appearances. From 2003-07, Seattle would make the playoffs five times, including a Super Bowl XL loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005. The 13-3 Seahawks fell 21-10, taking away Holmgren's opportunity to become the first coach in history to win a super bowl with two-different franchises. The Seahawks would fight their way to the NFC Divisional game the next two seasons. In 17 seasons as head coach with Green Bay and Seattle, Holmgren led 12 playoff teams, including 7 seasons of 10-or-more wins. At 161 career wins, Holmgren sits at No.16 (Tied with Carroll) amongst all coaches in league history, with seven already inducted into the hall.

​​"I suppose you want to look at Super Bowls and you want to look at continued, sustained long-term success," said Brown. "So certainly, the Super Bowl in Green Bay, the couple years of building the Seahawks into what they once became. I think in some ways, yes Mike Holmgren does qualify for that."

The 75-year-old is still waiting for his name to be called despite a storied legacy with multiple teams. Hopefully, the third time will be the charm.

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