FRISCO, TEXAS — A day after losing the defensive coordinator job with the Dallas Cowboys, defensive line coach Aiden Durde has been selected as the Seattle Seahawks' defensive coordinator under new head coach Mike McDonald.
Dard leaves Dallas after three seasons in which he played a major role in developing a pass-rushing unit led by Micah Parsons, Dorrance Armstrong and DeMarcus Lawrence.
This is the third Dallas defensive assistant to leave, as defensive coordinator Dan Quinn left to take the head coaching job with the Washington Commanders, bringing in secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr. as defensive coordinator. Dallas has already hired Mike Zimmer as defensive coordinator and has one replacement in place.
Prior to arriving in Dallas, Durde served as the Atlanta Falcons' outside linebackers coach in 2020 after serving as the team's quality control coach in 2018 and 2019. He will serve as defensive coordinator for the second time in his coaching career after previously serving in the same position. Before joining the NFL, he spent six seasons with the London Warriors of the BAFA National League. Durd interviewed for the Cowboys' defensive coordinator position last week, but sat out because of Zimmer.
He will join Seattle's staff after former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike McDonald hired him on Jan. 31. The NFL's youngest head coach has installed the 44-year-old Durd as his defensive coordinator, his first as a defensive coordinator. Hiring an official assistant.
Cowboys turn to hire Dard's replacement under Mike Zimmer ahead of a crucial offseason when defensive linemen Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr. and Neville Gallimore become free agents It turns out.
