Renton — The Seattle Seahawks are poised to appoint Aden Durde as defensive coordinator under new coach Mike Macdonald, according to a person familiar with the situation.
The individual spoke with the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the team has not publicized the hire. The NFL Network was the first to report Seattle’s plans.
Durde has been the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive line coach since 2021, but he won’t have an opportunity to direct plays in Seattle. Macdonald, who rose to prominence as one of the game’s finest defensive brains, stated that he intends to continue calling plays for the defence in Seattle, at least initially.
Durde collaborated closely with current Washington coach Dan Quinn throughout his stint with the Cowboys. The Seahawks interviewed Quinn twice for the position of head coach before hiring Macdonald.
Durde, 44, also worked as a defensive assistant in Atlanta for three seasons and served as a coaching intern for the Cowboys in 2014-15.
Durde, together with Macdonald, will face a daunting assignment in turning around a defence that has suffered in recent seasons. Seattle concluded the 2023 season rated 30th overall, 31st against the run, and 25th in scoring defence.
Durde was born in Middlesex, England. He was a linebacker in NFL Europe for six seasons before joining the practice teams of the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers. Durde worked as the head of football development at NFLUK for the international player pathway program after his playing career ended.
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