Seahawks reportedly planning to hire Ken Norton as defensive coordinator
The Seattle Seahawks are making some major changes to their coaching staff this offseason, and they could be bringing back a familiar face to fill one of their biggest roles.
With the Seahawks expected to part ways with defensive coordinator Kris Richard, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports that Pete Carroll will look to hire Ken Norton Jr., who served as the linebackers coach in Seattle from 2010 to 2014.
With Kris Richard likely out, the Seahawks are expected to turn to Ken Norton Jr as defensive coordinator, sources say. All indications are he’ll be back in Seattle, where he was the team’s LB coach from 2010-14.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 15, 2018
Norton recently accepted a job as the assistant head coach and linebackers coach of the San Francisco 49ers, but Garafolo was told his deal includes an out that would allow him to become the defensive coordinator in Seattle.
Norton was the DC of the Oakland Raiders from 2015 until he was fired this past season, and there was talk at the time that two of the team’s star players boycotted practice to show their displeasure with Norton’s dismissal. Norton has been very popular with players on the teams he has worked for, and that is likely one reason Carroll wants to bring him back as the Seahawks look to rebuild their defense.