Holmgren plans to return next year

Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2005 | 9:22 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

Mike Holmgren is leaving Seattle, but only to go on vacation.

The Seahawks coach said Tuesday he will be back for a seventh season in Seattle, though he briefly considered walking away from the eight-year contract he signed in 1999.

"I don't want to coach anyplace else," Holmgren said during his season-ending press conference. "I want to coach here and I really love our team.

"But to say it didn't cross my mind just to ride off in the sunset, I'd be lying to you."

Holmgren described 2004 as a difficult season even though Seattle claimed its first NFC West championship. Gut-wrenching home losses to St. Louis and Dallas tested the coach's resolve.

In October, the Seahawks blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead and lost in overtime to the Rams. Two months later, a series of breakdowns and an officiating gaffe let the Cowboys came back from 10 points down in the final two minutes.

"It was as unusual a season coaching-wise as I've ever had," Holmgren said. "I've never had as many games come right down to the wire. I think that takes its toll on you."

The loss to Dallas left Seattle with a 6-6 record. That was when Holmgren -- and his family, starting with wife Kathy -- knew the team's goals had taken a major hit. The game also marked Seattle's only prime-time appearance of the season.

Nolan has been a defensive coordinator for four teams over 18 seasons.

Schwartz has been an assistant to Jeff Fisher for six seasons.

Abraham was initially listed as probable to start the week after missing his fifth game in a row with the injury. Last week, Abraham said he needed to weigh his options when deciding whether to play because of his impending free agency.

"The thing I like about our defense is we're capable of new things every week," coach Mike Martz said Monday. "Once they bought into that whole concept, it's a whole different ballgame."

The Rams will face Atlanta in the divisional playoffs Saturday in large part because they held Seattle's Shaun Alexander to 40 yards on 15 carries after he gouged them for 326 yards in the first two meetings.