Seahawks expected to hire Aden Durde as new defensive coordinator, AP source says

RENTON — The Seattle Seahawks are expected to hire Aden Durde as the defensive coordinator for new coach Mike Macdonald, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Friday.

The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the hire. NFL Network was the first to report Seattle’s plans.

Durde has been the defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys since 2011, but he won’t have a chance at calling plays by coming to Seattle. Macdonald, who made his name as one of the top defensive minds in the game, said he plans to continue calling plays for the defense in Seattle at least initially.

Durde worked closely with now Washington coach Dan Quinn during their time together with the Cowboys. Quinn was interviewed twice by Seattle for its head coach opening prior to the Seahawks going with Macdonald.

Durde, 44, also spent three seasons as a defensive assistant in Atlanta and was a coaching intern with the Cowboys in 2014-15.

Durde will have a big task along with Macdonald in turning around a defense that has struggled badly in recent seasons. Seattle finished the 2023 season ranked 30th in total yards allowed, 31st at stopping the run and 25th in scoring defense.

Durde is a native of Middlesex, England. He played professionally for six seasons in NFL Europe as a linebacker and had stints on the practice squads of the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers. After his playing career ended, Durde spent time as the head of football development at NFLUK working in the international player pathway program.