While it appears the Seahawks will keep their head coach and general manager, they are making some important changes to the coaching staff on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. and defensive passing game coordinator Andre Curtis are expected to be let go, according to a report from Bob Condotta and Adam Jude of the Seattle Times.
Norton has served as the team’s defensive coordinator for the past four seasons, a stretch that has seen unusually poor results on that side of the ball. Seattle’s league ranking in yards allowed varied from 16th in 2018 to 28th this year during his tenure. In each of the last two seasons, the team has had major problems defensively, giving up an average of 451 yards per game through Week 5 of 2021. However, those campaigns each featured a notable turnaround, as the Seahawks finished this season 11th in the league in points allowed at 21.5 per game, for example.
Ultimately, though, the overall falloff from the days of the "Legion of Boom" – not to mention the team’s 7-10 record – have led to Norton’s expected dismissal. The reporters named Clint Hurtt, Seattle’s defensive line coach, as a candidate to take over the DC role. The 43-year-old has held that title since 2017 but has also been an assistant head coach since 2018. While he has eight total years of NFL experience as a positional coach, he has never been a coordinator. Another option “on the shortlist” is Ed Donatell, who is currently the Broncos’ DC. The 64-year-old has been the defensive coordinator with two other teams throughout his long NFL career and has ties to HC Pete Carroll dating back to their time with the Jets in the 1990s.
As for Curtis, the passing game had been a particularly sore spot during his tenure overseeing that part of the defense, which also began in 2018. In 2020, the team gave up a franchise-worst 285 yards per game through the air and, just like the defensive unit as a whole, got off to a rough start in 2021 as well. Through Week 3, that figure was still over 264 yards per game, leading to significant roster changes in the secondary. While things improved beyond that point, the Seahawks obviously felt it wasn’t enough for Norton and Curtis to be brought back.
Clearly, the defense – both on the field and along the sidelines – will be a major point of emphasis during the offseason in Seattle.
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