Seahawks Add Jim Mora Jr. as Secondary Coach

Mora takes over the defensive backs for Teryl Austin, whose contract expired and moved on to the Arizona Cardinals late last week.

The Seahawks confirmed Sunday they had come to terms with former Atlanta Falcons head coach Jim Mora to be their assistant head coach to Mike Holmgren and secondary coach.

KIRKLAND, Wash - The Seattle Seahawks made their first major move of the off season, and it’s a big one to the coaching staff.

The Seahawks confirmed Sunday they had come to terms with former Atlanta Falcons head coach Jim Mora to be their assistant head coach to Mike Holmgren and secondary coach.

The son of former NFL head coach Jim Mora Sr., the 45-year-old Mora is an alumnus of the University of Washington and attended Interlake High School in Bellevue.

He was named head coach of the Falcons in 2004 and compiled a 26-22 record in his three years -- plus 1-1 in the postseason.

The Falcons set a franchise record with 11 wins in his first season and became only the 11th rookie coach in NFL history to win a division title.

They moved on to the NFC Championship game in that first season -- only the second time in club history -- by virtue of blowing out the St. Louis Rams 47-17 in the Divisional Playoff game before losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10. The Falcons were 7-9 under Mora this season.

A candidate for the Miami Dolphins head coaching position vacated by Nick Saban, Mora agreed to terms over the weekend with Holmgren after the Dolphins awarded the job to Cam Cameron.

Mora was hired by the Falcons from the San Francisco 49ers, where he coached for seven years -- the first two as the secondary coach and the final five as defensive coordinator.

Not coincidentally, Holmgren’s NFL career originated with the 49ers as well -- so they have a lot of mutual connections.

The opportunity to join Holmgren’s staff, as well as returning to the Pacific Northwest, was an opportunity Mora wasn’t about to turn down for himself or his wife and four children.

"I'm thrilled to join not only what I believe is a quality organization, but for the chance to work with one of the finest head coaches in the league,” Mora said. “That, coupled with the opportunity for my family to be in the great Northwest is extremely exciting."

Mora was a defensive back for Don James with the Huskies from 1980-83, and was an assistant on James’ staff in 1984 before moving on to the NFL with the San Diego Chargers the next season.

Mora spent his first season with the Chargers in the personnel department, but moved on to be a secondary coach for the next six seasons in San Diego.

His next stop was a five-year stint in New Orleans, where his father was the head coach.

During those five seasons as secondary coach the Saints twice led the NFL in fewest passing yards allowed.

"I'm excited to have the opportunity to add someone to the staff with the energy and passion that Jim brings to the game," Holmgren said. “He is a strong teacher and talented coach who will make us better."

The Seahawks will officially introduce Mora sometime this week.

Adding comments to these stories has been disabled. View the current sports stories Salem-News Sports