All signs point to Pete Carroll naming Kris Richard as the Seahawks’ new defensive coordinator, replacing Dan Quinn, who on Tuesday was introduced as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Richard, Seattle’s defensive backs coach since 2011, has lengthy ties to the Seahawks and Carroll, who coached Richard at USC and brought him to Seattle in 2010 as an assistant defensive backs coach.
According to Pro Football Talk, Quinn tried to get Richard to relocate to Atlanta, but Richard opted to stay with Carroll with a better deal and, at a minimum, strong consideration for the promotion to Quinn’s former position.
Pro Football talk also reported that if the Seahawks don’t select Richard, they will still remain in house and select among linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr., defensive line coach Travis Jones, or defensive passing game coordinator Rocky Seto as Quinn’s replacement.
Richard has worked nine seasons in the NFL, including eight with Seattle. A third-round pick by Seattle in 2002 (85th overall), Richard spent three seasons with the Seahawks (2002-05) and one with San Francisco (2006) as a cornerback.
In 2008, Richard joined Carroll’s staff at USC as a graduate assistant/defensive backs coach, and then followed Carroll to Seattle in 2010. He was promoted to his current position Jan. 18, 2011.
Richard has coached the NFL’s top-rated secondary for two years, in which time he has tutored three Pro Bowl players — FS Earl Thomas, SS Kam Chancellor and CB Richard Sherman.
1 Comment
If Richard is named DC he’s a step away from being a head coach based on what happened to Quinn and Bradley. However since Carroll is a former secondary coach I wonder if he might prefer Jones or Norton instead? Overall all are more than capable for the duty.