Clint Hurtt enters his first season as defensive coordinator after serving the previous five seasons as defensive line coach, adding the title of assistant head coach in 2018. Originally hired on March 16, 2017, Hurtt joined Seattle after two years as the Chicago Bears outside linebackers coach (2015-16) and one year as the Bears assistant defensive line coach (2014).
In 2021, Hurtt's defensive line helped the Seahawks rank second in the league allowing 3.79 yards per rush. Veteran Al Woods had one of the finest seasons of his career, helping free up Jordyn Brooks and Bobby Wagner to set the two highest single-season totals for tackles in franchise history (Brooks - 183; Wagner - 170). After missing his rookie season due to injury, second-year defensive end Darrell Taylor emerged, finishing tied for second on the team with 6.5 sacks.
Seattle's defensive line was boosted by the mid-season addition of Carlos Dunlap II in 2020, helping the Seahawks register an NFL-best 37.0 sacks over the final 10 regular season games. Dunlap II ranked fourth on the team with 5.0 sacks and third with 12 quarterback hits despite only playing only eight games.
In 2019, Jadeveon Clowney ranked 9th in the NFL with 16 tackles for a loss, and he scored two defensive touchdowns (one INT, one FR) while Rasheem Green led the team with 4.0 sacks.
Seattle's defensive line in 2018 saw a breakout year from DT Jarran Reed, as he posted career-highs in sacks (10.5, 3rd among NFL interior linemen), tackles (50) and quarterback hits (24). His 10.5 sacks were the third-most by a DT in franchise history, trailing only Hall of Famers Cortez Kennedy (14.0) and John Randle (11.0). Added to DE Frank Clark's career-high 13.0 sacks, the 23.5 combined sacks ranked fifth in the NFL and seventh in franchise history.
Hurtt's defensive line in 2017 was led by DE Michael Bennett (8.5 sacks) and DE Clark (9.0 sacks) for the second-consecutive season, as the two combined for 17.5 sacks, the fifth-most by a defensive end tandem in the NFL. Clark's total was one-off his career-high set in 2016.
Hurtt's 2015 linebacker corps of Lamarr Houston (career-high 8.0 sacks), Willie Young (6.5) and Pernell McPhee (6.0) were the only trio of linebackers in the NFL to have at least six sacks each. Hurtt helped both Houston and Young transition from ends in a 4-3 base defense to 3-4 outside linebackers.
In 2014, Young led the team with a career-high 10.0 sacks after totaling just six sacks in his first four seasons in the league with the Detroit Lions.
Prior to joining the Bears in 2014, Hurtt spent 13 years in the collegiate ranks coaching 14 NFL Draft picks during that time. From 2010-13, he worked as Louisville's defensive line coach/recruiting coordinator, adding the title of associate head coach from 2011-13. In 2013, Louisville's defense was tops in the nation in sacks (3.31), total defense (251.5 ypg), rushing defense (80.7 ypg) and third down defense (27.0%) and second in scoring defense (12.2 points per game).
Hurtt came to Louisville from Miami, his alma mater, where he worked as the team's defensive line coach from 2006-09, adding the title of recruiting coordinator in 2007. It was his second stint at his alma mater after beginning his coaching career as a volunteer strength and conditioning coach from 2001-02 before working as a graduate assistant with the Hurricanes from 2003-04.
In between stints at Miami, Hurtt spent the 2005 season at Florida International University as the Golden Panthers defensive line coach where he coached Antwan Barnes, who became the first player ever to be drafted out of FIU (Baltimore Ravens, 2005).
Hurtt was a three-year letterman at Miami (1997, 1999-2000) before his career ended prior to the 2001 season due to injury.
Born on November 7, 1978, Hurtt and his wife, Tanisha, have a daughter, Taylor, and son, Clayton.
