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Report: Raiders to Hire Ken Norton Jr. as New Defensive Coordinator

In a move that will have wide-ranging ramifications in the AFC West, the Oakland Raiders are reportedly hiring Seattle Seahawks linebacker coach Ken Norton Jr. as the team’s new defensive coordinator. 

Seen as an up-and-comer from the assistant coaching ranks, Norton Jr played 13 season of high-level football in the NFL, earning three Pro Bowl trips and winning three Super Bowls.

The 48-year-old Norton Jr. spent the past five seasons as Seattle’s linebackers coach. Before that, he was on Pete Carroll’s staff at Southern California in the same role from 2004-2009.

Responsible for the development of youngsters such as Malcolm Smith, K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner in Seattle, Norton Jr. should be a great addition to the Raiders coaching staff. They have two solid young linebackers in the form of Khalil Mack and Sio Moore, both of whom are prepared to take that step towards Pro Bowl consideration.

More than that, Norton Jr. adds a ton of experience and success to Jack Del Rio’s coaching staff—a staff now ripe with former NFL players.

For all intents and purposes, this is an absolutely tremendous hire for the Raiders. There’s no other way to spin it.

Photo: Seahawks.com

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