Well that was quick.
Less than a week after accepting an assistant head coaching job with the San Francisco 49ers, former 49ers linebacker Ken Norton Jr. will re-join the Seattle Seahawks as a defensive coordinator, according to Alex Rozier of NBC Seattle. Norton was the Seahawks’ Linebackers Coach from 2010-2014 before leaving to take over as the Raiders’ Defensive Coordinator in 2015. Norton briefly joined the 49ers’ coaching staff last week after being fired by Oakland in late November.
BREAKING: I just got off the phone with Ken Norton Jr’s wife who told me her husband, Ken Norton Jr, just signed a 3 year deal to be the @Seahawks Defensive Coordinator. Not sure what this means for Kris Richard. Story developing. pic.twitter.com/RhtvUJbveA
— Alex Rozier (@AlexRozierK5) January 15, 2018
49ers beat writer Matt Maiocco tweeted a statment from 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan following the news:
Statement from #49ers coach Kyle Shanahan on Ken Norton Jr.:
“Last week, Ken was presented with an opportunity to once again coordinate a defense. Because of how we feel about Ken as a coach, we understand and respect his desire to pursue the position.”
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) January 15, 2018
The move makes sense for Norton Jr., 51, who was looking for another coordinator position, and would’ve essentially been a glorified inside linebackers coach with the 49ers.
Norton Jr. played for the 49ers as a standout middle linebacker from 1994-2000, helping the team win a Super Bowl in ’94, and making two Pro Bowls and a first-team All-Pro team during his tenure.