2007 MEDIA GUIDE - Seahawks Online Media Packet

Bruce DeHaven joined Seattle on January22, 2007 after four years with the DallasCowboys.Last season, DeHaven saw punter MatMcBriar lead the NFL with a 48.2 puntingaverage and more importantly rank secondin the NFC (4th NFL) with a 38.6 net puntingaverage. His punt return team allowedTerence Newman to be one of five NFCreturners to average over 10 yards per puntreturn and a 56-yard touchdown.In 2004, the Cowboys kickoff coverage unitfinished first in the NFL by limiting opponentsto an average of 17.5 yards per return.There were a number of outstanding individualperformances in 2003, DeHaven’s firstseason in Dallas, with lineman Flozell Adamssetting a team-record by blocking three extrapoint attempts, kicker Billy Cundiff tying theNFL record for field goals in a game withseven and Randal Williams returning anonside kick attempt 38 yards for a touchdownto open the Philadelphia game.Under DeHaven’s guidance, the specialteams in Buffalo (1987-99) and San Francisco(2000-02) thrived and were considered someof the most consistent units in the NFL.During DeHaven’s three years with SanFrancisco, the 49ers special teams shined. In2002, return man Jimmy Williams led theNFL with a 16.8-yard punt return average.This performance came on the heels of a2001 season that saw Vinny Sutherland breakthe team record for most kick return yards bya rookie with 1,140.Prior to joining the 49ers, DeHaven spent13 seasons with the Buffalo Bills. During histenure in Buffalo, the club made four consecutiveSuper Bowl appearances, won six AFCEast championships and appeared in 20 playoffgames. In those 13 years, DeHavenhelped develop two of the greatest specialteams players in NFL history: Mark Pike andSteve Tasker. Under DeHaven's tutelage,Tasker was invited to seven Pro Bowls as theAFC's Special Teams Player and was votedthe 1993 Pro Bowl MVP. In 1998, kicker SteveSeahawks Experience: 1st YearNFL Experience: 21st YearChristie set the Bills single-season clubrecords for points (140) and field goals (33)and became the franchise's all-time leadingscorer.In 1996, The Dallas Morning News, in aranking of the 19 most important statisticalcategories, named the Bills special teamsunit the best in the NFL. His 1991 punt coverageunit led the NFL in fewest punt returnyards allowed with 53, the lowest total sincethe NFL changed the rules allowing only theends to release on punt coverage before theball is snapped. DeHaven also guided theBills kickoff coverage unit to the top NFLranking four consecutive years (1987-90).Prior to joining the Bills staff in 1987,DeHaven spent three seasons in differentcoaching capacities in the USFL. He was therunning backs and special teams coach withthe Orlando Renegades (1985), special teamscoach and offensive line coach for thePittsburgh Maulers (1984) and special teamsand assistant offensive line coach with theNew Jersey Generals (1983).DeHaven began his collegiate coachingcareer at Kansas (1979-81), working with thedefensive backs and offensive line, as well asheading up recruiting. He served as offensiveline coach and recruiting coordinator at NewMexico State in 1982 before breaking into thepro ranks.Before joining the college ranks, DeHavenspent nine years as a high school coach. Asan assistant at Southeast (Wichita, Kan.) HighSchool during part of that time, he helpedlead the school to three consecutive Kansasstate football championships.DeHaven was born in Trousdale, Kan. onSeptember 6, 1948. He played eight-manfootball at Belpre-Trousdale, Kan., HighSchool. A graduate of Southwestern Collegein Kansas with a degree in history and politicalscience, DeHaven was a basketball standout,leading the team in scoring two consecutiveyears. He also participated in track andfield. He and his wife, Kathy, have a son TobinScott and daughter AnnieMaude.ASSISTANT COACHES 41