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Seahawks' overhauled coaching staff taking shape with new coordinators

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How will new Seahawks DC fix aging 'Legion of Boom'? (1:46)

Bill Polian breaks down the issue plaguing Seattle's defense that new coordinator Ken Norton Jr. will have to contend with. (1:46)

Pete Carroll only fired one coordinator during his first seven seasons as the Seattle Seahawks' head coach. That was back in 2011, when Jeremy Bates was let go after running the offense during Carroll's first season in Seattle.

That provides some context for what the Seahawks have done over the past week in making, by far, the most sweeping changes to their coaching staff of the Carroll era. He fired coordinators Darrell Bevell and Kris Richard as well as offensive line coach Tom Cable and linebackers coach Michael Barrow. Cable and Barrow both had titles of assistant head coach, which means Carroll is replacing the four highest-ranking members of his staff.

He apparently had no desire to maintain the status quo after a season in which Seattle finished 9-7 and missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

More changes could be coming and some positions have yet to be filled, at least officially. For now, though, here's a look at where things stand:

OFFENSE

Coordinator: Brian Schottenheimer is getting his third chance to run an NFL offense. In Russell Wilson, he has talent and stability at quarterback that he didn't have with the New York Jets (2006-11) or St. Louis Rams (2012-14), which was no doubt a factor in those offenses generally producing underwhelming results during his time there. Bevell had held the position since 2011. That means Schottenheimer will be only the second coordinator that Wilson has played under in his NFL career. A new voice might serve him well.

Offensive line: Mike Solari returns to the position he held during the 2008 and '09 seasons under then-Seahawks coaches Mike Holmgren and Jim L. Mora, respectively. According to reports, Carroll wanted to retain Solari when he took over in 2010, but in a different role. Solari is considered one of the league's better offensive line coaches, so his hiring could end up being a boon for Seattle. Cable coordinated Seattle's running game and had more say in personnel decisions than most position coaches during his seven seasons with the Seahawks. It's not clear if Solari's job description will be similar. Long-time Carroll associate Pat Ruel is an assistant offensive-line coach along with Brennan Carroll, one of Pete's two sons.

Wide receivers: Dave Canales has been on Carroll's staff for all eight seasons in Seattle, including the past three as the receivers coach. Nate Carroll, Pete's other son, is the assistant.

Running backs: Former NFL kick returner Chad Morton has been on Seattle's staff since 2014 and was promoted to running backs coach this past season.

Quarterbacks: The Seattle Times has reported that Carl Smith may not be back for his eighth season but that he could remain on staff in another capacity. The team's website still lists him as the quarterbacks coach and Will Harriger as the assistant.

Tight ends: Pat McPherson has been Seattle's tight ends coach since 2010.

Other: Former Seahawks offensive lineman Lemuel Jeanpierre joined the staff this past season as an offensive assistant.

DEFENSE

Coordinator: Carroll is turning back to Ken Norton Jr. to run his defense in what is essentially a re-do of his 2015 decision to promote Richard to coordinator over Norton, who was coaching Seattle's linebackers at the time. Like with Schottenheimer, this move won't inspire much excitement to those only assessing Norton's credentials for the job based on his two-plus seasons in charge of the Oakland Raiders' underperforming defense. But it makes more sense when you take a deeper look at the situation. Among Norton's attributes: he's a master motivator and a no-nonsense enforcer, something Seattle could use. Linebacker K.J. Wright said of his former position coach on Sports Radio 950 KJR in Seattle: "He's the type of guy that can not only impact the defense, but impact the entire team because he's just that great of a guy, that influential. So when he gets in here I believe we'll see a big turnaround with the whole team."

Secondary: Andre Curtis has coached Seattle's defensive backs since 2015, when Richard was promoted to coordinator. Former NFL DBs Nick Sorensen and Ricky Manning Jr. are the assistants.

Linebackers: The Seahawks have not named a replacement for Barrow, who coached the position the past three seasons following Norton's departure to Oakland. John Glenn (not the astronaut) is still listed as the assistant. Fans might be wondering if former Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu is a candidate for the job. He was Seattle's assistant linebackers coach but left last year in order to spend more time with his family, so probably not.

Defensive line: Clint Hurtt joined the staff as defensive line coach this past season. The NFL Network reported that he interviewed for the coordinator job before Seattle hired Norton. Dwaine Board, who coached the position for Seattle during the Holmgren years, is the assistant.

Other: Tom Donatell joined the defensive staff this past season as a quality control coach. The team's website still lists Travis Jones as a senior defensive assistant. He was re-assigned to that position this past season after coaching the defensive line.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Coordinator: Brian Schneider has held the job since 2010. Former Seahawks linebacker Heath Farwell was promoted to assistant this past season after joining Seattle's staff in 2016.