Seahawks Head Coach Began Football Career in Metro Atlanta

Mike Macdonald, who led the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl, got his start playing high school football in Roswell, Georgia.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 6:31pm

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Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald grew up in Roswell, Georgia and played football at Centennial High School under longtime local coach Mike Cloy. Macdonald later became a graduate assistant at the University of Georgia under former head coach Mark Richt. Both Cloy and Richt have expressed pride in seeing Macdonald's rise to become an NFL head coach.

Why it matters

Macdonald's journey from a high school player in metro Atlanta to leading an NFL team to the Super Bowl showcases how talent and hard work can propel someone from humble beginnings to the highest levels of their profession. His story is an inspiration to young athletes in the Atlanta area who aspire to make it big in football.

The details

As a high school player at Centennial, Macdonald was described as a 150-155 lb linebacker and fullback who put in tremendous effort to maximize his abilities. After high school, he went on to become a graduate assistant at the University of Georgia under former head coach Mark Richt, who praised Macdonald's work ethic and excellence in carrying out assignments.

  • Macdonald played high school football at Centennial High School in Roswell, Georgia.
  • Macdonald later became a graduate assistant at the University of Georgia under former head coach Mark Richt.

The players

Mike Macdonald

The head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, who led the team to the Super Bowl. Macdonald got his start playing high school football in Roswell, Georgia.

Mike Cloy

The longtime high school football coach at Centennial High School in Roswell, Georgia, where Macdonald played.

Mark Richt

The former head coach of the University of Georgia, where Macdonald worked as a graduate assistant.

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What they’re saying

“Mike was about 150-155lbs and he played linebacker and fullback for us. It was really a compliment to him the amount of energy and effort he put in to be the best he could be. He was very intelligent, even as a high school player. He always had a great love of the game of football.”

— Mike Cloy, Centennial High School Football Coach (wsbtv.com)

“If you gave him an assignment, it was going to get done. It was going to get done quickly. It was going to get done well. He just applied enthusiasm to the job that he had. When you do it with excellence, people see that and reward it.”

— Mark Richt, Former University of Georgia Head Coach (wsbtv.com)

What’s next

Macdonald will lead the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl on February 11, 2026, seeking to win his first championship as an NFL head coach.

The takeaway

Macdonald's journey from a high school player in the Atlanta suburbs to becoming an NFL head coach showcases how dedication, hard work, and a passion for the game can propel someone from humble beginnings to the highest levels of their profession. His story is an inspiration to young athletes in the Atlanta area who dream of making it big in football.