Seahawks coach Macdonald opens up on depression, struggles in first season
The NFL's youngest head coach describes months of paralysis and bed-bound depression after joining Seattle in 2024.
What to know
- Macdonald experienced what he describes as the most difficult period of his life during his first months as Seahawks head coach in early 2024, marked by paralysis, inability to leave bed, and symptoms consistent with depression.
- The crisis stemmed from extreme self-imposed pressure to be perfect as a first-time NFL head coach, compounded by the unexpected death of his family's 4-year-old dog while separated from his wife.
- Macdonald recovered through physical routines, family support, and intentional lifestyle changes; the Seahawks subsequently won Super Bowl LX two years later in 2026.
- Interviewer Graham Bensinger has since expressed regret about how portions of the interview were released and framed in media coverage.
Macdonald's openness is admirable and relatable; pet loss and pressure-driven depression are serious experiences that deserve empathy.
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“i still think about (a year later) hearing my dad cry for the first time… shit is always super difficult when you've integrated them as members of the family / best friends.”
SilentLikeAPuma · Reddit ↗
Macdonald's recovery and success suggest that mentorship and veteran presence (like Leslie Frazier) played a meaningful role in his return to health.
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“I'd love to know how much impact having a guy like Leslie Frazier, someone who's been around the league a long time, in the building and on the sideline every week had on helping Mike in his move from DC to HC.”
SeattleSporting · Reddit ↗
“It's not good enough to not be the best. But that takes time to get there, and it's a process... I just wanted to be right all the time and I didn't know what right was.”
Mike Macdonald, Seahawks head coach · ESPN ↗ · Sep 16
Mike Macdonald Seahawks head coachGraham Bensinger InterviewerJohn Schneider Seahawks general managerStephanie Macdonald Mike Macdonald's wife
How it unfolded 3 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlespostscomments
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Bensinger expresses regret over releasing portions of interview
Graham Bensinger issues a statement indicating regret about how parts of the Macdonald interview were released, citing a story about Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton that became the focus of media attention.
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first by Yahoo Sports, 5h ago · also Awful Announcing, NBC Sports
1 more headline
- Graham Bensinger expresses regret over releasing Mike Macdonald clip Awful Announcing · 5h ago
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Full Bensinger interview video released on YouTube
The complete nearly two-hour interview between Macdonald and Bensinger is made available, allowing full context to be heard.
- 4 days quiet
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Macdonald's interview with Bensinger surfaces, details depression struggles
Excerpts from Macdonald's interview with Graham Bensinger, conducted over the summer, are released to media outlets, in which he describes the most difficult stretch of his life and his inability to get out of bed.
“I was not a great leader my first year. It sucks to say that, but I just fell short in so many different ways.”
— Mike Macdonald -
first by ESPN NFL, 6d ago
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i still think about (a year later) hearing my dad cry for the first time on the phone telling me about how my childhood dog died while my mom wasn’t there. i have a cat now, not a dog, but if i lost her lil fetch-playing ass i’d be so miserable. i felt so bad i wasn’t there for my dad as he lost her alone & i don’t even like my dad that much lol…
2 more of the top 3 · 8 posts in this stretch
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I watched the portion of the interview with him and his wife, and apparently he was in Seattle just getting started and she was still in Baltimore with their dog when it happened unexpectedly. He was only 4 years old. I've been fortunate enough to have family dogs that have lived 12, 14, 16 years. It's still been extremely hard when they've…
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I'd love to know how much impact having a guy like Leslie Frazier, someone who's been around the league a long time, in the building and on the sideline every week had on helping Mike in his move from DC to HC. Mike talked glowingly about adding Leslie to his staff when he came here, so I'd guess that veteran presence has had a decent effect.
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background
Seahawks go 14-3 and win Super Bowl LX — Two years after his first season struggles, the Seahawks achieve a 14-3 regular season record and claim the franchise's second Super Bowl title.
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Seahawks finish 2024 season 10-7, miss playoffs — The Seahawks complete their first season under Macdonald with a 10-7 record, falling short of the playoffs despite his recovery.
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Macdonald tells GM Schneider he is feeling like himself again — During the 2024 season, Macdonald approaches general manager John Schneider to communicate that his mental state has improved.
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background
Macdonald prioritizes physical health and routine to recover — Macdonald begins taking long walks, working out, eating better, calling players, and reducing alcohol consumption to rebuild himself incrementally.
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background
Macdonald begins period of severe mental health crisis — In the months following his hiring, Macdonald enters what he later describes as the most difficult stretch of his life, characterized by paralysis, difficulty leaving bed, excessive sleeping, and self-imposed pressure to be perfect as a first-time head coach.
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background
Macdonald's family dog dies unexpectedly — Macdonald and his wife Stephanie experience the sudden, unexpected death of their 4-year-old dog while he is in Seattle and she is still in Baltimore.
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background
Seahawks hire Macdonald as head coach — Mike Macdonald, previously Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator, becomes the NFL's youngest head coach when Seattle hires him to replace Pete Carroll.
What people are saying 5 voices from 1 site · best of 8 · verbatim
- Sep 17
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Especially with how gloomy it can be up here. I love that Walt honors Cortez with the 9/6 checkup.
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Kyle's interviews in the offseason endeared me to him too. Dude's really funny and comes off very, very chill.
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Having had him as our DC, I feel the same way. I love this guy man, as long as he’s the coach for the Hawks I’ll have a soft spot for you.
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My cattle & sheep are assets that are treated better than most. But losing a family pet/best friend - especially when you're on your own is horrific. It makes me so sad after two years seeing my doggos photo
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For real, I mean respect to him for not self-diagnosing to the media like that, but I also have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and damn if he doesn't describe many of the symptoms I struggle or have struggled with. It's a long and tough battle, my friend, but I hope you are doing okay.