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Ranking the Eight Seattle Seahawks Head Coaches

By Ben Renner

Jan 23, 2016; Carson, CA, USA; American Team coach Mike Holmgren looks on during the first half of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl against the National Team at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Carson, CA, USA; American Team coach Mike Holmgren looks on during the first half of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl against the National Team at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jack Patera had some success as the Seattle Seahawks coach, but finished with a 34-59 record in Seattle. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jack Patera had some success as the Seattle Seahawks coach, but finished with a 34-59 record in Seattle. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Jack Patera

Back in 1976, when the Seattle Seahawks joined the NFL as an expansion team, Jack Patera took over as the team’s first-ever head coach. After a 2-12 first season with players drafted from other teams and mostly disappointing first-ever draft pick Steve Niehaus, Patera built an offense around Jim Zorn and Steve Largent that relied on risky gadget plays at first. After a 5-9 season in 1977, Patera’s Seahawks surpassed expectations in 1978, going 9-7 and earning Patera an NFL Coach of the Year award.

Jack Patera went 9-7 with the Seahawks again in 1979, but he couldn’t keep up his winning ways. He was known as a strict disciplinarian, not allowing players to get water during hot July and August practices in Cheney, Washington. He also maintained a difficult relationship to the local sports press.

"Patera built an offense around Jim Zorn and Steve Largent that relied on risky gadget plays at first."

Things got rockier for Patera heading into the 1982 season. With the National Football League Players’ Association (NFLPA) threatening the a strike, Patera cut NFLPA union representative and popular Seahawks wide receiver Sam McCullum. The action was deemed an illegal termination in a lawsuit brought against the NFL by McCullum.

Patera lost the first two games of the 1982 season. General Manager John Thompson fired him during the 57-day players strike that year, in a move announced by John Nordstrom himself. He was replaced by Mike McCormack, who finished the season as the interim head coach.

Next: 4. Strictly Mediocre

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