LATEST: Aden Durde from the Cowboys is set to join the Seahawks as DC

As ESPN’s Adam Schefter was informed on Friday, the Seattle Seahawks are preparing to appoint Aden Durde as their defensive coordinator.

Durde’s Experience and Background
Under Dan Quinn’s direction, Durde has worked as the defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys for the previous three seasons. He brings a plethora of expertise to the Seahawks. Prior to joining the Cowboys, Durde was employed by the Atlanta Falcons, first as a coaching intern in 2016 and then under Quinn as a defensive assistant in 2018–2019 and outside linebackers coach in 2020. He started his NFL coaching career in 2014–2015 as a Cowboys intern.

Macdonald’s Strategies for Calling Defensive Plays
During his first press conference, newly appointed Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald—who was previously the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens—stated that he planned to take the lead in calling defensive plays for Seattle. However, he stated that “when it becomes obvious that someone else is ready to go and we see it the same way,” he intends to eventually assign these duties to a defensive coordinator.

Having also signed Jay Harbaugh for special teams, Macdonald is almost done assembling his coaching staff with Durde slated for the position. Leslie Frazier has also been named assistant head coach by Macdonald.

Change from Hurtt: The Part of Durde
Clint Hurtt, who managed Seattle’s defense for the previous two seasons before becoming the defensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, is replaced by Durde. Assuming command of a defense that struggled in 2023—finishing 25th in points allowed and 30th in yards allowed—is Durde. In addition to struggling in 2022, Seattle’s run defense deteriorated last season, giving up the most rushing yards of any NFL team during the previous two seasons.

Durde’s Transition from Playing to Coaching
London-born, Durde has experience playing linebacker in NFL Europe, having spent six seasons with the Hamburg Sea Devils and Scottish Claymores. He also served as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers practice teams. After retiring from professional basketball, Durde became a coach and spent six seasons leading the London Warriors’ defense. As NFLUK’s head of operations, he also made a significant contribution to the creation of the International Player Pathway Program.

ESPN provided information for this report.