Holmgren Wants To Coach Beyond 2006 - Seattle PI

Holmgren wants to return after 2006
Talks ongoing regarding contract extension

By CLARE FARNSWORTH
SEATTLE P-I REPORTER

KIRKLAND -- Mike Holmgren does want to coach the Seahawks beyond the 2006, season, the final year of his existing contract.

Holmgren acknowledged that publicly for the first time Thursday after the final practice of the team's minicamp.

"I would like to (coach beyond this season), and I think they want me to," he said.

As for the ongoing negotiations and when an agreement might be reached, he offered, "It takes a little time. ... There's a lot that goes into a contract. That's what we're banging around a little bit."

Holmgren had been vague when asked previously about this future, saying he needing time to decide what he was going to do. He did not want to commit to coaching past this season until he was sure that was the right decision.

Now, it seems to be a matter of when he might sign the extension the club has been talking about since February.

Holmgren's agent, Bob LaMonte, met this week with club president Tim Ruskell and CEO Tod Leiweke.

"They've had some talks, some real good talks," Holmgren said. "So it's ongoing and I'm feeling good about stuff. But nothing has been finalized yet."

Holmgren took some time after the team's run to the Super Bowl to ponder his future and discuss the situation with his wife, Kathy.

"We like it here a lot. We really do," he said. "I'd like to hang around."

Holmgren is due $7 million this season as part of the eight-year, $32 million contract he signed in 1999.