Report: Seattle Seahawks hiring former Alabama safety Nick Perry to defensive staff

According to Matt Zenitz of 247Sports, the Seattle Seahawks are “expected” to hire Nick Perry to its defensive staff. Perry has worked in the NFL and college football before, most recently with the Atlanta Falcons as an assistant wide receiver coach.

“The Seattle #Seahawks are expected to hire Nick Perry as a member of their defensive staff, sources tell @247sports,” Zenitz said via X. “The ex-Alabama and NFL safety worked for the Falcons the last three years. Was previously part of Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama.”

Perry was a five-year player for Alabama during the first half of Saban’s tenure in Tuscaloosa, being on the roster between 2010 and 2014. He went undrafted and was a member of two practice squads before ending his playing days in favor of coaching.

Alabama brought Perry back as a graduate assistant for two seasons, being a member of the national championship 2017 team and returning in 2018. He was elevated to defensive assistant in 2019 and left following another national title-winning team in 2020.

The NFL came calling and Perry has not looked back since. Arthur Smith hired him as a defensive backs assistant in 2020 and once again, was in the position for two seasons. Before 2023, Perry switched over to the offensive end and worked with the wide receivers.

Now, per Zenitz’s report, he is getting back to his bread and butter by coaching defense in Seattle. His exact role is not yet known.

Seattle Seahawks continuing to add to defensive staff with Nick Perry

For the longest time, Seattle was a well-run oiled machine under Pete Carroll. In the 14 seasons Carroll spent with the Seahawks, they made the playoffs 10 times, won a division title in the NFC West on five occasions, and won the Super Bowl in 2013. A great run for somebody who should be in the Hall of Fame eventually.

Now, Mike Macdonald is taking over — another defensive mind. He comes from the Baltimore Ravens and has been in the Harbaugh (both brothers) coaching tree throughout his career. Macdonald is a first-time head coach and is making a big move out to the West Coast.

Seattle hired Aden Durde as the defensive coordinator after working as the defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys. As signaled with the reported hiring of Perry on Tuesday night, the staff is still coming together as the offseason chugs along.