In a decisive move following a narrow 10-7 defeat to the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has announced the firing of Special Teams Coordinator Tom McMahon. The loss, which saw a series of costly mistakes on punts and field goals, ultimately led to McMahon’s dismissal as Carroll holds his staff accountable for the errors that contributed to the defeat.
The game was defined by a number of special teams failures, most notably missed opportunities on critical punt and field goal attempts. Carroll, known for his focus on all three phases of the game, expressed frustration over how the special teams played a decisive role in the loss to their divisional rivals.
“Too Many Mistakes Cost Us the Game”
“We’ve been in this situation before, and we can’t afford to keep making the same mistakes,” Carroll said in a statement after the game. “The special teams mistakes — the missed punts, the field goals that didn’t connect, and the poor execution — they were the turning point in the game. We cannot let those types of errors cost us a victory, and I made the decision to part ways with Tom because we need to be better.”
The Seahawks’ special teams unit, under McMahon’s leadership, had been inconsistent throughout the season, but the loss to the Broncos, where those mistakes were directly tied to the outcome, marked a breaking point for Carroll.
“Accountability is Key”
Carroll emphasized that part of being a winning team is taking responsibility when things go wrong. “We expect excellence, and when we fall short, we have to make the tough decisions to ensure we’re moving in the right direction,” Carroll continued. “Special teams are a crucial part of the game, and when those errors mount, we need to make sure we have someone who can get it right. We need to be more disciplined, and that starts with the coaching staff.”
McMahon’s tenure as special teams coordinator had been marked by both highs and lows, but the loss to the Broncos was seen as a tipping point, with Carroll making the bold decision to make a change.
“Looking Forward”
With McMahon now out, the Seahawks are looking for someone who can bring more consistency and discipline to their special teams play. Carroll confirmed that an internal review would begin immediately to find the right candidate to fill the role moving forward. “We’ve got the talent on special teams, we just need the right leadership to get the most out of it,” Carroll said. “We’re going to get this corrected quickly.”
Carroll’s decision signals that the Seahawks are not content with simply being competitive; they are focused on improving every aspect of their game as they look to secure a playoff spot. With special teams play under scrutiny, the next coach will have to demonstrate that they can deliver consistent, high-level performance.
“The Season Isn’t Over”
Despite the tough decision to part ways with McMahon, Carroll remains focused on the bigger picture and the remainder of the season. “We’ve got a lot of football left to play,” Carroll said. “We’ve got to make sure that we are improving every week. We’re committed to getting this right, and that means addressing the special teams issues head-on.”
As the Seahawks turn the page on the McMahon era, all eyes will be on how the special teams unit responds under new leadership. Carroll’s focus on accountability and excellence sets the stage for a pivotal stretch run, where every mistake — especially on special teams — could be the difference between playoff contention and a disappointing season.
Fabian Lysell scoring the overtime winner at three-on-three against the Hartford Wolf Pack doesn’t change the past week for one of the Boston Bruins’ most polarizing prospects. While Lysell is now up to 11 points in 11 games, he started Wednesday night’s Providence Bruins game on the fourth line alongside Jake Schmaltz and Joey Abate. It was a step up from the team’s last game, when Lysell sat in the press box as a healthy scratch.
The situation presents an interesting dilemma, offering a unique contrast between what the fans see and how the front office feels. If you listen to the growing social media mob about Lysell’s usage, you would think the Bruins are burying the next great Swedish superstar in the minors. However, it’s easy to look at a player’s stat line and then wonder why he isn’t in the NHL.
The Bruins’ front office isn’t just scratching prospects for no reason. There is some aspect of Lysell’s game, whether it’s his inconsistent play, failure to commit to the defensive zone for an entire game, or his sometimes lower work rate, that is turning the organization away from giving him a chance. Ryan Mougenel has been struggling to get a read on Lysell since he started in Providence, and that doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon.
It isn’t just Mougenel who is burying him, either, if that’s what fans are thinking. The front office wouldn’t allow their AHL head coach to make those kinds of decisions if they see a future in him. It’s obviously an organizational decision that is causing Lysell to lose his place in the Providence lineup.
The time is approaching when the Bruins will have to figure out what they have in Lysell. There aren’t many NHL roster players who will be giving up their spot anytime soon, and Lysell is now behind a long list of forwards in Providence. Is there any path for Lysell to join the NHL club?
Lysell has plenty of ground to make up. It’s unlikely that the team’s perspective of him changes just because he scored an overtime winner in a three-on-three overtime. Lysell’s offensive confidence isn’t the issue, as he is still producing despite his fall down the lineup. It’s the intangibles that must change, and it’s worth wondering if it will ever happen after four years of the same issues.
It’s amusing to see the growing concerns about keeping an offensive talent buried in the minors. We shouldn’t forget that the reason Boston has the second-most points in the conference is due to the intangibles that the lineup is bringing on a nightly basis as the front office tries to reform the Bruins’ identity. If Lysell is so poor in that area that he can’t get into the AHL lineup on a nightly basis, why should fans even want him to get the reward of an NHL recall?