Seahawks add Bradley as defensive coordinator

[January 13, 2009]  RENTON, Wash. (AP) -- The remodeling Seattle Seahawks hired Casey Bradley as their defensive coordinator and Dan Quinn as their defensive line coach and assistant head coach Monday.

A team spokesman confirmed the first two hires for new coach Jim Mora's defense.

Greg Knapp, 45, arrived from Oakland last week to be Seattle's new offensive coordinator. He's replacing Gil Haskell, who has coached in the NFL for 26 years.

The 42-year-old Bradley has been the linebackers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the last two seasons. He arrived there as a quality control assistant in 2006 after he was an assistant at North Dakota State. He replaces John Marshall, a 29-year veteran who was Seattle's defensive coordinator the last six seasons.

Bradley will be working closely with Mora, 47, on game plans and personnel for Seattle's defense.

Their task is tall. The Seahawks finished last in the league this past season in pass defense and 30th in the league in total defense. Detroit, the only team in NFL history to finish 0-16, was the only defense in the NFC ranked lower than Seattle.

Mora, formerly San Francisco's defensive coordinator and Seattle's defensive backs coach for two seasons until 60-year-old Mike Holmgren left as coach this month, is expected to call most of the Seahawks' defenses during games.

Quinn, 38, was an assistant with the New York Jets the past two seasons. He worked with Mora in San Francisco from 2001-03 and will replace Dwaine Board, Holmgren's defensive line coach the last six years. Former Lions coach Rod Marinelli interviewed last week for the job.

Multiple reports over the weekend, including one by the league's television network, said Joe Barry has agreed to coach Seattle's linebackers but the Seahawks would not confirm that addition on Monday.

Seahawks president Tim Ruskell said last week that he and Mora are evaluating many potential coaches for many positions. Ruskell has confirmed only one assistant from Holmgren's 2008 staff definitely return, offensive line coach Mike Solari.

Two will not be back, as assistant special teams coach John Jamison and tight ends coach Jim Lind are retiring. Ruskell said others may be offered positions elsewhere within the organization.

[Associated Press; By GREGG BELL]

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