New Coaching Staff Looks to Bring a Different Attitude to Seattle

The Seattle Seahawks began the offseason with a complete overhaul of the coaching staff.  Mike Holmgren opted to leave after last season, and the Seahawks decided to name Jim Mora the new head coach for 2009.

Mora, a former University of Washington football player, returned home to the Northwest in 2007 as the defensive backs coach for the Seahawks.   

During his first season, the Seahawks improved dramatically in pass defense, ranking first in passing touchdowns allowed with 15 and ranked fourth in the NFC in interceptions with 20.

Mora brings an entirely different attitude to this team than his predecessor Mike Holmgren.  His attacking mentality could provide a certain edge missing in Seattle in past seasons.   During Mora’s first press conference he was asked how tough it would be to follow in his footsteps.

“There’s always pressure in this business.  Those are incredibly big shoes to fill, but I’m going to be me.  I have to be me.  Sometimes people who fail in this business following a legend fail because they try to be that person.”

Mora was afforded the rare opportunity to meet and develop relationships with players before being named head coach.

“Had I not been here the past two years, I would not have that knowledge of our players.  That’s very important as we move forward.”

Mora talked about his passion for the game, and how his view of a tenacious defense would spark a new attitude in Seattle.

“We are going to play defense relentlessly.  I believe in attacking and being aggressive and playing with a bit of a stinger, that’s what we are going to do.  Attacking doesn’t always mean blitzing, rather it’s a style, it’s an attitude, it’s an emphasis, and it’s a passion.”

Mora then began to formulate the coaching staff for 2009. Mora began by hiring Oakland offensive coordinator Gregg Knapp, who also worked under Mora in Atlanta. 

Teams with Knapp running the offense saw a rushing attack that ranked first in the league in yards per game all three season while in Atlanta.  While in Oakland the rushing offense ranked sixth in 2007 and 10th in 2008. 

Knapp began his career as quarterbacks coach in San Francisco in 1995.  He was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2001 and was hired by Mora to the same position in Atlanta in 2004.

Mora felt that hiring Knapp wouldn’t require changes in the offense.

“It’s important we don’t make drastic changes and that is why we hired Gregg Knapp as our offensive coordinator.  This is an offense that had success.  There’s not going to be necessarily a change in what we do offensively, but a change in emphasis” Mora said.

Mora stressed balance, and Knapp brings a tremendous amount of balance to the Seahawks.  Knapp will be the primary offensive play caller.

Knapp discussed how he would help turn around a team that finished 4-12 last season.

“I’m hoping to bring some more balance to the offense in the run-pass ratio, so that we are not relying on what part of the game and hopefully that will help offset some of the issues from last season.”

Mora then hired Tampa Bay’s linebackers coach Casey “Gus” Bradley to run the Seahawks defense.  Bradley spent three seasons in Tampa and prior to that served as an assistant to his alma mater North Dakota State.

Bradley should bring a different defensive approach to the Seahawks, studying under former Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.

“I had the great opportunity to work with Monte Kiffin, and his knowledge of the game and what he demands from his players and how he holds them accountable is unique.  All our coaching staff that is in place is going to bring a tremendous amount to this organization and to the players involved.” Bradley said.

Several other new coaches look to make their mark on this new look Seahawks team as well. 

Quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor looks to improve his relationship with Matt Hasselbeck while offensive line coach Mike Solari looks the implement the zone blocking scheme to help open up holes for Seattle’s running attack.

Even though these coaches are new to the Seahawks, they hope they can continue their success and bring Seattle its first championship.