Seahawks hire Casey Bradley as defensive coordinator

Jim Mora's defenses have a reputation for being aggressive.

The same description fits his choice for defensive coordinator. Casey Bradley was coaching at North Dakota State just four years ago, now he has been offered and accepted the job as Seattle's defensive coordinator after three seasons on Tampa Bay's staff.

That was enough to convince Monte Kiffin that Bradley was going to be a great NFL coach. Kiffin was the longtime Bucs defensive coordinator, long considered one of the league's best defensive minds, who is headed to join his son Lane Kiffin's staff in the SEC at Tennessee. Monte Kiffin called Mora this past week to praise Bradley.

That completes quite a rise for Bradley, who is 42. He came to Tampa Bay as the Bucs' defensive quality-control coach in 2006 and was promoted to coaching linebackers the following season.

The Seahawks will not announce the hiring until final paperwork is signed, likely early next week.

John Marshall served as Seattle's defensive coordinator the past four seasons. He has not been fired, but his potential role next season — if there is one — remains unknown.

The Seahawks' defense was one of the biggest disappointments for the team in 2008. The Seahawks had four Pro Bowl starters from 2007, when the Seahawks nearly set the franchise record for fewest points allowed in a 16-game season. But the unit that was supposed to a strength for Seattle turned out to be a vulnerability. Seattle allowed more passing yards than any team in the league.

Bradley was one of three candidates interviewed for the defensive coordinator position. The Seahawks also talked to Mel Tucker, Cleveland's defensive coordinator, and Dan Quinn, an assistant coach with the Jets.

Quinn has agree to join the Seahawks' staff as defensive line coach and assistant head coach. He coached the past two seasons with the Jets and previously coached with Mora when both served on the 49ers' coaching staff.

Quinn's addition means that Dwaine Board will not return to the same role as defensive line coach, a position he's held since 2003.

Seattle interviewed former Lions coach Rod Marinelli for the position as defensive line coach, but he opted to go to the Bears, where he will coach the defensive line under Lovie Smith, one of Marinelli's closest friends.