Bruce DeHaven, 59, is in his 21st season in the NFL and first with the Seahawks as one of the pre-eminent special teams coaches of this era. A native of Trousdale, Kan., who grew up playing 8-man football, his coaching career at the junior high and high school level in Kansas, from 1970-78 before he became the defensive backfield, offensive line and recruiting coordinator at the University of Kansas from 1979-81, and took a similar job at New Mexico State in 1982. He then spent the next three seasons in the USFL coaching the offensive line and special teams at new Jersey, Pittsburgh and Orlando. And from there, he began his 13-year career with the Buffalo Bills – including four consecutive trips to the Super Bowl – as their special teams coach. In 2000, he moved to the San Francisco 49ers for three seasons, and followed that up in Dallas with the Cowboys from 2003-06 before joining the Seahawks staff. DeHaven and his wife Kathy have a son Tobin Scott and daughter AnnieMaude.
The following 10 questions asked of DeHaven, and he responded with that inexorable twinkle in his eye that can't help but make you wonder, "Is he putting me on?"
Do you have a defining moment in football?
It would have to be winning the state championship of Kansas. I was an assistant coach at Wichita Southeast in the mid-70's. We were the first Wichita school to ever defeat a Kansas City school in the state championship. That was better than going to the Super Bowl … there was never anything I've been through to match that.
What was your defining moment out of football?
Well, that's easy. When my wife Kathy and I went down to Bogota, Colombia and adopted our two kids. I put my son Toby and my daughter AnnieMaude in my arms, that was the best thing I ever experienced.
Who was your role model?
My mom and dad – Merle and Eugene were just good hard-working, strong people. My dad was a farmer and my mom was a teacher.
If you weren't coaching in the NFL, what would you be doing?
I'd be teaching school.
What was the last movie you saw?
During the bye week, I watched a DVD of "High Fidelity" for the third or fourth time.
What was the last non-football sporting event you attended?
I went to the Neil Young concert during the bye week. That's the third time I've seen Neil and he's still great.
What was the last non-sports TV show you watched?
Tim Russert interviews on CNBC.
What is your favorite meal?
Chicken fried steak – I come from the chicken-fried nation.
What's your favorite hobby outside of sports?
Listening to music … I like it all. As long as it's good music – well done, I like any style.
Who are the other three people in your dream golf foursome?
Charlie Parker, Tom Robbins and Chip Hilton, a three-time All-American in baseball, basketball and football at a major university – one of the greatest athletes ever I never got a chance to see play, but I've heard coach Rockwell talk about him in such great detail, I feel like I've seen him play many times.
