June 5, 2025 • 9 mins
Seahawks special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh discusses his first year in the NFL. He emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and continuous improvement (0:15). Harbaugh expresses enthusiasm for the XFL-style kickoff rules, noting their effectiveness and excitement (1:37). He praises Steven Sims for his punt return abilities (3:35) and Michael Dickson for his consistent performance as a punter (4:22). Harbaugh also discusses the acquisition of returners Tory Horton and Ricky White (5:27), and reflects on the challenges of managing NFL rosters and how this knowledge impacts draft evaluations (6:34).
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Going great, good to see everybody.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
You get an opportunity to have some reflection on your
first year as a special team sportator in the NFL.
How did that process go for you and where you're
looking to improve upon the.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
Post story of this season.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Yeah, it was the opportunity to reflect is I mean,
that's what we all do after the year, which is awesome,
and it's you know, it's everything in terms of the improvement,
even the stuff that you feel like you did well
with enough time and.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
You're you're really self critical, you you know, want to
do even better, you know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
So every phase, really, regardless of how how it went,
you're trying to chase those improvements. Some going to be
smaller than others probably, and then looking again at what
you have on your roster and hey, we have this
particular player, maybe this is an area where we could
do something a little bit different than we did before.
(00:53):
So that's a kind of a different wrinkle on it,
but it makes it really exciting. But yeah, the self reflection,
just the same as we ask for the players, is
a huge part of what we do as coaches too.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
We're your thoughts of moving the touch back to with
the idea of get more returns.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
I think it'll be effective in terms of the having
that having that result more times than that. It feels
like it's never going to be quite as extreme as
as what your initial gut reaction would be, Hey, it's
going to be this percentage, It's usually not quite that.
But I do think if that is the desired goal,
then it will be effective.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
When we look back at it, I.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Havn't gone through a whole whole year with that pretty
drastic change of came off. What did you think about
the way that I played out overseason.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
About the just the format in general.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
I thought it was great. You know, it's it's good football.
It's all the stuff that we love about it, the blocking,
the tackling, the big plays, the you know, big defensive
plays that light up the stadium.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
It's all that same stuff. So A big fan of it.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
And and it gives those guys in that realm and
and and the special teams world. It's more opportunities, which
is which is really fun. So UH loved it, and
I think a few of the tweaks that were made
have a chance to make it even better. And like
like everything else in the game, trying to trying to
make it, uh, you know, as safe as possible, make
(02:11):
it exciting to watch and fun to watch.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
I think it's I think it's really cool. So when
you look at.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
This year, is it easier to prepare for that or
is it is it harder because now you're looking for
like that next spots to chase edges with.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
Those roles, And the question is preparing for it as
opposed to last year.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
She didn't know what was gonna happen last year.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Now you've got some decent, great place. Yeah, So it's
interesting you compare it to Yeah, a year ago, we
just started watching the the u f L, and so
now we're watching our own league, and uh, I don't know,
like I think you hit on it. It's it's not
(02:55):
one is really easier than the other. It's just different, right,
one of them. A year ago, you're acting, Hey, this
is what we think it'll be like, this is what
types of plays we think will be effective, This is
what we anticipate, timing and spacing and all that. Well,
now we know and it's it's the same. It's like, man,
you never feel like you've you've made it, you know,
in any part of football as a coach, so you know,
(03:16):
more stuff and you're gonna apply it. But it's just
it's like, yeah, it's it's different, but the same. You're
still chasing the those trying to understand it better, trying
to put the players in a little bit better position
to make a big play.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
That kind of thing.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
We see Steve Simms back there doing catch us and
punts and stuff like that.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
What do you like about you know, is that kind
of a guy that could take over that room. Yeah,
A big fan of Steve.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
And he's quick, he's twitched up, he takes it really seriously.
He loves that role and really embraces it. Works his
tail off, and you guys see it from pre practice
to to just throughout his tremendous stamina and uh and
enthusiasm that that doesn't wean either from you know, the meetings.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Too, throughout the rest of practice. So all those things.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Plus he has a lot of God given talent too,
So you combine those two things, that's pretty exciting and
we're thrilled to have them.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Michael Dixon has the third highest funning average in compleat history.
Taken for granted, sometimes you think and just thoughts on
him making the top fifty and franchise history.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Yeah, he's certainly not taken for granted within this building.
You know, we love him and highly impressed by him
all the time. Just yeah, I think the world of him,
his consistency as a performer. He's really a model, even
though what he does is really different from a lot
of other positions on the field.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
I think when.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
You get past that, if you're another player and you
see who he is as a pro and what he
does day in and day out, the mental.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
Approach, the care he takes for his body, his ability to.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Take information good or bad and process it and then
move on. It's really a great ample for other players
as well. So super happy for him. He's very deserving
of that honor, and again, just really thrilled to have
him on our team.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
You don't know how much of the boys do you
have in the draft process for certain players, but how
excited were you to get Tory Horton and Rick White,
two guys who returned kicks for touchdowns and also what
punts at the college ful outsideing e sent for you,
personal friend.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Yeah, it's really exciting and there's a I'm blessed to
work with John and Mike, who I think do a
fantastic job, including all of us as coaches in the process.
And it's such a neat structure of low ego. Everybody's contributing.
Nobody is, you know, hey, this is my guy, this
(05:45):
is your guy, this is I'm gonna get really defensive.
You don't see any of that, which is really neat.
And so love to be able to contribute of our
opinions of how we see a guy being able to
come in and help us and what his role might
look like.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
And certainly it's.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
A great thing when guys have done in college and
I have shown you that it's important to them and
they have certain skill sets. And then there's other guys,
you know, just depending on what school that they're at,
they might not have had the opportunity and they have
a great skill set and they're gonna take to it too.
So I learned that even more this year of some
guys that can be great for you. They they just
(06:19):
haven't had the chance to show it yet. But those
two guys are put a lot of great stuff on tape.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
Excited to have them Jay, Aul.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Jesus is already out. But you know, you're your second
year now in the NFL. What do you know now
that you didn't know.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
When you do in the league.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
Yeah, I mean how much time do you guys have?
That could be a really really long answer. And you know,
the way that you'd love to operate as a coach
and you'd loved our players to operate is I'd hope
to be.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Able to say the same thing to you to you
next year.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
You know you because you're constantly looking critically at everything
that you do. You're looking at what other people are doing.
The trends hit, these are the things I think are true.
This is what you know, oh Man ended up being
a little bit different. Here's some things I could have
anticipated happening a little bit different.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
So it's a lot.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
The things that are obvious are the the roster and
the numbers and what that looks like week in a
week out, like you know it logically and rationally you
know it, and then a week in a week out
when you see how drastically things can change and the
availability of players. That's the one that would stand out
as to any coach that's probably new to the NFL,
is getting a feel for like the fifty three, then
(07:28):
the forty eight and then how much that that can
change and how late in the week that can change.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
And it's exciting.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
It's all cool stuff to learn, and you know, thankful
to have a lot of experience around the building to
draw and so there's people that there's certain things if
you have an experience, they can help you see around
the corner of like, hey, heads up, you know if
this guy's down, then that might mean you know X,
Y or Z. So yeah, I could go on and on,
but that would be probably the main thing that would
stand out.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
What are the things that you learned that help, you know,
contribute to your evaluation of draft prospects into this season, like
certain characteristics you're looking for in players.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
And maybe you wouldn't have otherwise compared to a year ago.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Yeah, I think so again, that'll be I think, I
hope I'm even better at it next to you know,
coaching within this structure of scheme, because it is a
lot different than college. Same fundamentals, same important things, but
the limitations scheme wise. You know, Yeah, you learn about
(08:31):
that and then you can really once you know it better,
you can project players into certain roles better. Hey, I
can clearly see what this guy can do for us.
And then also having a better sense, like I.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Was just saying about what the game day roster looks like.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
You know, the where guys have more value than others
is another area that you just you realize certain skill
sets are just more valuable, you know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (08:56):
So that would probably be the main thing.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Everything else.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Appreciate you guys,
Going great, good to see everybody.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
You get an opportunity to have some reflection on your
first year as a special team sportator in the NFL.
How did that process go for you and where you're
looking to improve upon the.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
Post story of this season.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Yeah, it was the opportunity to reflect is I mean,
that's what we all do after the year, which is awesome,
and it's you know, it's everything in terms of the improvement,
even the stuff that you feel like you did well
with enough time and.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
You're you're really self critical, you you know, want to
do even better, you know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
So every phase, really, regardless of how how it went,
you're trying to chase those improvements. Some going to be
smaller than others probably, and then looking again at what
you have on your roster and hey, we have this
particular player, maybe this is an area where we could
do something a little bit different than we did before.
(00:53):
So that's a kind of a different wrinkle on it,
but it makes it really exciting. But yeah, the self reflection,
just the same as we ask for the players, is
a huge part of what we do as coaches too.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
We're your thoughts of moving the touch back to with
the idea of get more returns.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
I think it'll be effective in terms of the having
that having that result more times than that. It feels
like it's never going to be quite as extreme as
as what your initial gut reaction would be, Hey, it's
going to be this percentage, It's usually not quite that.
But I do think if that is the desired goal,
then it will be effective.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
When we look back at it, I.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Havn't gone through a whole whole year with that pretty
drastic change of came off. What did you think about
the way that I played out overseason.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
About the just the format in general.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
I thought it was great. You know, it's it's good football.
It's all the stuff that we love about it, the blocking,
the tackling, the big plays, the you know, big defensive
plays that light up the stadium.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
It's all that same stuff. So A big fan of it.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
And and it gives those guys in that realm and
and and the special teams world. It's more opportunities, which
is which is really fun. So UH loved it, and
I think a few of the tweaks that were made
have a chance to make it even better. And like
like everything else in the game, trying to trying to
make it, uh, you know, as safe as possible, make
(02:11):
it exciting to watch and fun to watch.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
I think it's I think it's really cool. So when
you look at.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
This year, is it easier to prepare for that or
is it is it harder because now you're looking for
like that next spots to chase edges with.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
Those roles, And the question is preparing for it as
opposed to last year.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
She didn't know what was gonna happen last year.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Now you've got some decent, great place. Yeah, So it's
interesting you compare it to Yeah, a year ago, we
just started watching the the u f L, and so
now we're watching our own league, and uh, I don't know,
like I think you hit on it. It's it's not
(02:55):
one is really easier than the other. It's just different, right,
one of them. A year ago, you're acting, Hey, this
is what we think it'll be like, this is what
types of plays we think will be effective, This is
what we anticipate, timing and spacing and all that. Well,
now we know and it's it's the same. It's like, man,
you never feel like you've you've made it, you know,
in any part of football as a coach, so you know,
(03:16):
more stuff and you're gonna apply it. But it's just
it's like, yeah, it's it's different, but the same. You're
still chasing the those trying to understand it better, trying
to put the players in a little bit better position
to make a big play.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
That kind of thing.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
We see Steve Simms back there doing catch us and
punts and stuff like that.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
What do you like about you know, is that kind
of a guy that could take over that room. Yeah,
A big fan of Steve.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
And he's quick, he's twitched up, he takes it really seriously.
He loves that role and really embraces it. Works his
tail off, and you guys see it from pre practice
to to just throughout his tremendous stamina and uh and
enthusiasm that that doesn't wean either from you know, the meetings.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Too, throughout the rest of practice. So all those things.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Plus he has a lot of God given talent too,
So you combine those two things, that's pretty exciting and
we're thrilled to have them.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Michael Dixon has the third highest funning average in compleat history.
Taken for granted, sometimes you think and just thoughts on
him making the top fifty and franchise history.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Yeah, he's certainly not taken for granted within this building.
You know, we love him and highly impressed by him
all the time. Just yeah, I think the world of him,
his consistency as a performer. He's really a model, even
though what he does is really different from a lot
of other positions on the field.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
I think when.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
You get past that, if you're another player and you
see who he is as a pro and what he
does day in and day out, the mental.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
Approach, the care he takes for his body, his ability to.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Take information good or bad and process it and then
move on. It's really a great ample for other players
as well. So super happy for him. He's very deserving
of that honor, and again, just really thrilled to have
him on our team.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
You don't know how much of the boys do you
have in the draft process for certain players, but how
excited were you to get Tory Horton and Rick White,
two guys who returned kicks for touchdowns and also what
punts at the college ful outsideing e sent for you,
personal friend.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Yeah, it's really exciting and there's a I'm blessed to
work with John and Mike, who I think do a
fantastic job, including all of us as coaches in the process.
And it's such a neat structure of low ego. Everybody's contributing.
Nobody is, you know, hey, this is my guy, this
(05:45):
is your guy, this is I'm gonna get really defensive.
You don't see any of that, which is really neat.
And so love to be able to contribute of our
opinions of how we see a guy being able to
come in and help us and what his role might
look like.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
And certainly it's.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
A great thing when guys have done in college and
I have shown you that it's important to them and
they have certain skill sets. And then there's other guys,
you know, just depending on what school that they're at,
they might not have had the opportunity and they have
a great skill set and they're gonna take to it too.
So I learned that even more this year of some
guys that can be great for you. They they just
(06:19):
haven't had the chance to show it yet. But those
two guys are put a lot of great stuff on tape.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
Excited to have them Jay, Aul.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Jesus is already out. But you know, you're your second
year now in the NFL. What do you know now
that you didn't know.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
When you do in the league.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
Yeah, I mean how much time do you guys have?
That could be a really really long answer. And you know,
the way that you'd love to operate as a coach
and you'd loved our players to operate is I'd hope
to be.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Able to say the same thing to you to you
next year.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
You know you because you're constantly looking critically at everything
that you do. You're looking at what other people are doing.
The trends hit, these are the things I think are true.
This is what you know, oh Man ended up being
a little bit different. Here's some things I could have
anticipated happening a little bit different.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
So it's a lot.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
The things that are obvious are the the roster and
the numbers and what that looks like week in a
week out, like you know it logically and rationally you
know it, and then a week in a week out
when you see how drastically things can change and the
availability of players. That's the one that would stand out
as to any coach that's probably new to the NFL,
is getting a feel for like the fifty three, then
(07:28):
the forty eight and then how much that that can
change and how late in the week that can change.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
And it's exciting.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
It's all cool stuff to learn, and you know, thankful
to have a lot of experience around the building to
draw and so there's people that there's certain things if
you have an experience, they can help you see around
the corner of like, hey, heads up, you know if
this guy's down, then that might mean you know X,
Y or Z. So yeah, I could go on and on,
but that would be probably the main thing that would
stand out.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
What are the things that you learned that help, you know,
contribute to your evaluation of draft prospects into this season, like
certain characteristics you're looking for in players.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
And maybe you wouldn't have otherwise compared to a year ago.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Yeah, I think so again, that'll be I think, I
hope I'm even better at it next to you know,
coaching within this structure of scheme, because it is a
lot different than college. Same fundamentals, same important things, but
the limitations scheme wise. You know, Yeah, you learn about
(08:31):
that and then you can really once you know it better,
you can project players into certain roles better. Hey, I
can clearly see what this guy can do for us.
And then also having a better sense, like I.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Was just saying about what the game day roster looks like.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
You know, the where guys have more value than others
is another area that you just you realize certain skill
sets are just more valuable, you know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (08:56):
So that would probably be the main thing.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Everything else.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Appreciate you guys,
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