Seattle Seahawks Coaching Staff 2025 Update: Who's Really In Charge Now
- 01. Core Leadership Structure for 2025
- 02. Complete 2025 Coaching Staff Roster
- 03. Key 2025 Additions and Their Impact
- 04. Mid-Season Staff Disruption: Polamalu Leave
- 05. Position Group Coaching Breakdown
- 06. Staff Continuity and Retention Strategy
- 07. Scheme Evolution Under New Staff
- 08. Special Teams and Support Staff
- 09. 2025 Season Performance Context
- 10. Looking Ahead: 2026 Staff Implications
Seattle Seahawks coaching staff 2025 update: Who's really in charge now
Head coach Mike Macdonald entered his second season in 2025 with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and defensive coordinator Aden Durde leading their respective units, while quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko and offensive line coach John Benton joined the staff in February 2025 to solidify key position groups.
Core Leadership Structure for 2025
Mike Macdonald's first full offseason as head coach produced a coaching staff built around his defensive roots while adding offensive firepower through Klint Kubiak's promotion. The Seahawks announced Kubiak as offensive coordinator and Ken Norton Jr. as defensive coordinator in early 2025, though Norton departed before the season, leaving Aden Durde to take over defensive coordination duties. Leslie Frazier serves as assistant head coach, providing veteran stability alongside Macdonald's年轻的 scheming approach.
The defensive coordinator role became Aden Durde's permanently after he successfully called plays during the 2024 season as Macdonald's right hand. Durde's aggressive pressure schemes helped the Seahawks rank top-10 in sacks during his tenure, generating 48 total sacks in 2024.His continuation signals Macdonald's confidence in the defensive identity that propelled Seattle to a 10-7 record in 2024.
Complete 2025 Coaching Staff Roster
| Coach | Position/Role | Tenure Start |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Macdonald | Head Coach | 2024 |
| Klint Kubiak | Offensive Coordinator | 2025 |
| Aden Durde | Defensive Coordinator | 2025 |
| Jay Harbaugh | Special Teams Coordinator | 2024 |
| Leslie Frazier | Assistant Head Coach | 2024 |
| Andrew Janocko | Quarterbacks Coach | February 2025 |
| John Benton | Offensive Line Coach | February 2025 |
| Karl Scott | Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/DBs | 2024 |
| Justin Hinds | Defensive Line | 2024 |
| Jeff Howard | Safeties | 2024 |
| Frisman Jackson | Wide Receivers | 2024 |
| Kirk Olivadotti | Inside Linebackers | 2024 |
| Justin Outten | Tight Ends/Run Game Coordinator | 2024 |
| Chris Partridge | Outside Linebackers | 2024 |
| Kennedy Polamalu | Running Backs | 2024 |
This complete staff directory reflects the Seahawks' emphasis on continuity alongside strategic hires. Macdonald retained 18 of 22 position coaches from his inaugural season, demonstrating trust in his existing core while adding specialized expertise where needed.
Key 2025 Additions and Their Impact
- Andrew Janocko (Quarterbacks Coach) - Joined February 10, 2025, bringing 8 years of NFL coaching experience including work with Josh Allen in Buffalo. His arrival directly addresses quarterback development for Geno Smith and rookie prospects.
- John Benton (Offensive Line Coach) - Officially hired February 10, 2025, after serving as assistant O-line coach. Benton previously helped develop tackle candidates in Atlanta and anchors the offensive line room.
- Michael Byrne (Offensive Assistant) - Hired concurrently with Janocko and Benton, Byrne supports offensive game planning and film study as an assistant tight ends coach.
These three hires represent the latest moves Macdonald made to finalize his second-season staff, with official announcements coming the week of February 10, 2025. The timing aligned with NFL rule changes allowing earlier coordinator interviews, giving Seattle a competitive advantage in securing top talent.
Mid-Season Staff Disruption: Polamalu Leave
Running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu took a personal leave of absence starting December 10, 2025, likely for the remainder of the season according to ESPN's Brady Henderson. This unexpected departure created immediate logistical challenges for Seattle's rushing attack, which ranked 12th in the NFL with 118.4 yards per game entering December.
Run game specialist Justin Outten and offensive assistant Michael Byrne assumed Polamalu's duties immediately, sharing responsibilities for running back development and run game coordination. Outten's dual role as tight ends coach added complexity, requiring重整 of practice schedules and film breakdown assignments.
Position Group Coaching Breakdown
- Quarterbacks: Andrew Janocko leads the room with Tyson Prince as assistant quarterbacks coach, focusing on Geno Smith's mechanics and pre-snap reads.
- Offensive Line: John Benton anchors the unit with Quinshon Odom as assistant offensive line coach, tasked with improving pass protection that allowed 44 sacks in 2024.
- Wide Receivers: Frisman Jackson enters his second season, working with depth receivers after developing DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in 2024.
- Defensive Line: Justin Hinds continues his role, emphasizing interior pressure with Javon Kinlaw and写过 A'Shawn Robinson.
- Secondary: Karl Scott coordinates pass coverage alongside Jeff Howard (safeties) and Neiko Thorpe (defensive assistant), building on the 8th-ranked pass defense.
This position group structure reflects Macdonald's philosophy of hiring coaches with specific scheme expertise rather than generalists, allowing specialized development for each unit.
Staff Continuity and Retention Strategy
Macdonald retained 82% of his staff from 2024 to 2025, one of the highest retention rates in the NFL among second-year head coaches. Only four positions saw changes: offensive coordinator (Kubiak promoted), defensive coordinator (Durde promoted), plus the two new position coaches (Janocko, Benton).
This continuity approach contrasts sharply with league averages, where 35-40% staff turnover typically occurs after a first season. Macdonald's strategy prioritizes scheme familiarity and player-coach relationships over major philosophical shifts, trusting his existing coordinators to evolve rather than overhauling.
Scheme Evolution Under New Staff
With Klint Kubiak in his first full year as offensive coordinator, the Seahawks shifted toward more play-action passes and concealed run looks, increasing run-action percentage from 18% in 2023 to 27% in 2024. This adjustment leveraged Geno Smith's accuracy on deep throws while maintaining Seattle's identity as a top-10 rushing team.
Defensively, Aden Durde expanded zone blitz packages beyond Macdonald's 2024 baseline, incorporating more simulated pressures from linebacker positions. The scheme generated 12 more pressures per game than the league average, forcing opponents into 3rd-and-long situations 41% of the time.
Special Teams and Support Staff
Jay Harbaugh continues as special teams coordinator in his second season, overseeing a unit that ranked 5th in punt return yards allowed (5.8 per return) and 7th in field goal percentage (88.2%) in 2024. Head strength and conditioning coach Ivan Lewis leads a four-person strength staff including Danny van Dijk, Mark Philipp, Thomas Garcia, and Jamie Yanchar, ensuring player development remains consistent across all position groups.
The support staff infrastructure includes Rick Dennison as senior offensive advisor, providing veteran guidance on offensive line technique and run scheme philosophy accumulated from 40+ years in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance Context
Under this coaching staff, the Seahawks achieved a 10-7 record in 2024, securing a playoff berth as a wild card team. Offense ranked 14th in points per game (23.1) and 12th in rushing yards (118.4), while defense ranked 8th in pass yards allowed (208.3 per game) and 11th in sacks (48).
Macdonald's second-season expectations include climbing into top-10 offensive rankings through Kubiak's evolution and maintaining defensive top-5 status with Durde's expanded playbook. The staff's stability positions Seattle to avoid the typical "second-year slump" that plagues many first-year coaching regimes.
Looking Ahead: 2026 Staff Implications
The 2025 staff structure sets the foundation for potential 2026 promotions, with Klint Kubiak emerging as a head coaching candidate (eventually hired by Las Vegas Raiders in 2026) and Aden Durde gaining coordinator credibility. Assistant coaches like Karl Scott and Justin Hinds position themselves for coordinator interviews should openings arise.
This coaching tree development mirrors Macdonald's own trajectory from Baltimore coordinator to Seattle head coach, suggesting the organization intentionally cultivates advancement opportunities while maintaining competitive rosters.
Key concerns and solutions for Seattle Seahawks Coaching Staff 2025 Update Whos Really In Charge Now
Who is the Seattle Seahawks head coach in 2025?
Mike Macdonald is the head coach entering his second season in 2025. He was hired in January 2024 after serving as defensive coordinator under John Harbaugh in Baltimore, becoming the 16th head coach in Seahawks franchise history.
Who is the offensive coordinator for the Seahawks in 2025?
Klint Kubiak serves as offensive coordinator in 2025, promoted from assistant offensive line coach after Macdonald's hiring. He previously worked under his father Kyle Kubiak in Denver and Houston, bringing run-pass balance expertise to Seattle.
Who is the defensive coordinator for the Seahawks in 2025?
Aden Durde is the defensive coordinator in 2025, promoted after serving as Macdonald's assistant defensive coordinator in 2024. Durde called defensive plays during the 2024 season and helped the Seahawks generate 48 sacks and rank 8th in pass defense.
What changed in the Seahawks coaching staff for 2025?
The Seahawks added quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, offensive line coach John Benton, and offensive assistant Michael Byrne in February 2025. These three official announcements finalized Macdonald's staff for his second season, with minimal turnover elsewhere.
How many coaches did the Seahawks hire in 2025?
The Seahawks officially hired three coaches in 2025: Andrew Janocko (quarterbacks), John Benton (offensive line), and Michael Byrne (offensive assistant), all announced February 10, 2025.
Did the Seahawks keep their defensive coordinator?
Yes, Aden Durde was promoted from assistant defensive coordinator to full defensive coordinator for 2025 after successfully calling plays in 2024. He replaced interim arrangements and became the permanent defensive play-caller.
What is Mike Macdonald's coaching record with Seattle?
Mike Macdonald's record in his first season (2024) was 10-7, earning a wild card playoff berth. He became the youngest head coach in Seahawks history at age 31 and the first former defensive coordinator to win 10+ games in his inaugural season.