In the spring of 2013, Mike Macdonald was a 25-year-old quality control coach at the University of Georgia.
Dan Quinn, meanwhile, was preparing for his first season as a defensive coordinator in the NFL, having returned to Seattle, where he previously was the defensive line coach, after two seasons at the University of Florida.
The two didn't know each other or have many obvious connections, but Macdonald did have a sister who lived in Kirkland, so with a visit already planned to see family, Georgia's defensive coordinator at the time, Todd Grantham, reached out to Quinn to set up an introduction.
So 12 years before Quinn and Macdonald would face off as head coaches on Sunday Night Football, they got together at the Viriginia Mason Athletic Center as a young aspiring NFL coach and a defensive coordinator who was about to help lead one of the greatest defenses of all time.
"There's a funny story that happened when I was a GA," Macdonald said this week. "The gist of it was DQ was the defensive coordinator here, and the guy I was working for—I was visiting my sister in Kirkland—he set up a visit with DQ here. I walked right through the entrance right there.
"I was wide eyed; I thought it was like the coolest thing of all time. He came down, he was playing Beastie Boys in his in his office and he was talking football about something. I had no idea what he was talking about, but it sounded sweet. What I remember from that visit was how the feeling he had with the players in the building was, you could tell there was a special connection and the respect he had. He knew everybody's name in the building and that really stuck with me for a long time. I have a ton of respect for DQ and he's obviously a great football coach, but that was a was a big-time moment in my life, it was just really cool, so I appreciate him for doing that."
Macdonald said that for him, the goal of that meeting was to land a job in the NFL. That didn't happen—instead he would get his start in the league a year later in Baltimore—but it was still a valuable experience early in his coaching journey.
"Well, I was trying to get in the NFL, but there wasn't an opportunity here," he said. "At that point, I was just trying to network and learn, that was really it at that point."
While Macdonald didn't get a job out of that encounter with Quinn, he did experience an example of what a positive culture and good coach-player relationships can do for an organization, a lesson he took with him into future jobs.
"I tell you what, just walking through the door the first time, it just felt so much different than anything I was used to," Macdonald said earlier this year on the Richard Sherman Podcast. "We all know the culture that was here, the positivity, the energy, the connection that everybody had, and for DQ take the time to hang out with a dumb GA like me. I forget what he was talking about—whatever he drew on the sheet of paper, I would have thought was gold. But then we walk around, and he goes in the locker room and in there with him, and you were right there, maybe finished a workout or something, and you guys dapped each other up, you're laughing, he's shadow boxing you, and I'm like, 'Man, this guy is so cool and this place is so awesome.' So that's one of those core memories that you have is a coach of, 'Oh, this is what it could feel like, and this is probably one of the reasons why these guys are so good.'"
Since parting ways those two have only crossed paths on a few occasions when Quinn-coached teams have played Baltimore, but this will be their first meeting as head coaches. Quinn, who after helping the Seahawks to back-to-back Super Bowls, became the head coach, leading the Falcons to a Super Bowl appearance in his second season as a head coach, and last year led the Commanders to the NFC Championship game. Macdonald, meanwhile, is in his second season as a head coach after leading the Seahawks to a 10-7 record last year.
While it has been more than a decade since Quinn coached in Seattle, he still has connections to the current Seahawks thanks to his time in Atlanta and Dallas, where he was defensive coordinator. Current Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde worked with Quinn both in Dallas and Atlanta, while veteran outside linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence played for Quinn's defense in Dallas.
"My guy DQ, he was my D-coordinator, he was a great coach for me," Lawrence said. "You're talking about somebody who brings that intensity each and every day. I feel like I learned that part of the day from him, so shout out to DQ."
While Lawrence has love for Quinn, he also wants to beat him on Sunday.
"He's with the Commanders now, and I'm with Mike Macdonald," Lawrence said. "DQ, that's my dog, man, but shoot, dogs fight each other all the time."
Like Lawrence, Durde is appreciative of everything Quinn did for him in his career, but this week his only goal is to beat his longtime friend and mentor.
"He means a lot," Durde said. "He gave me an opportunity. He's one of the reasons why I'm standing here today doing this job. He's a good friend, but he's on the other side of the field this week."
The Seahawks continued their week of practice on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna (92) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak at practice on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup (89) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Myles Gaskin (22) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Myles Gaskin (22) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup (89) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup (89) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup (89) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Myles Gaskin (22) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
