2007 MEDIA GUIDE - Seahawks Online Media Packet

ASSISTANT COACHES 50Francisco 49ers where he spent seven seasons(1997-03), including the last five as defensivecoordinator. His last two seasons, Mora'sdefense finished no worse than fourth in theNFC against the run and in 2003, the 49ersrecorded 36 takeaways, their most since 1997.In addition, at least one player from Mora'sdefense was named to the Pro Bowl in four ofhis last five seasons as defensive coordinator.Included among his 49ers coaching highlights,Mora's defense tied for first in the NFCwith a +11 turnover differential on the heels of36 takeaways. San Francisco's defense continuedan impressive trend in 2003 as the 49ersdid not allow a rusher to run for over 100yards in their last 19 home games. SanFrancisco's staunch run defense at home washighlighted in 2003 by holding the St. LouisRams to a mere nine yards rushing, whichwas the second-lowest rushing total by anopponent in 49ers team history. Mora'saggressive defense also produced 42 sacks in2003 to tie for second in the NFC and it wasthe highest team total since 51 in 1998.Mora's defensive creativity with talent waswitnessed when he utilized Julian Peterson atfour positions against Dallas in 2002 in whichthe 49ers clinched the NFC West Division title.Mora devised a clever game plan to move theathletic linebacker all over the field. Petersonplayed linebacker, defensive end, strong safetyand cornerback because of injuries ondefense. The Pro Football Hall of Fame recognizedthe unique feat as Peterson was the firstplayer since the NFL merger in 1970 to playfour positions in a game as he packed his bagsfor the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.In Mora's first season as the 49ers defensivecoordinator in 1999, he developed DTBryant Young and FS Lance Schulters into ProBowl performers and tutored his defense to ateam-record tying five defensive touchdowns.In his first year in 1997, the 49ers finishedfirst in the NFL in total defense, second in passdefense (with 25 interceptions), takeaways(41) and run defense, as well as third in theLeague in sacks (54). Mora helped SanFrancisco advance to the NFC ChampionshipGame where five members of the defensewere voted to the Pro Bowl. A year later,Mora's troops tied for first in the NFC andfourth in the NFL with 21 interceptions.James Lawrence Mora joined his father,James Ernest Mora, in 1992 as the secondarycoach for the New Orleans Saints. Growing upwith a father in the NFL gave Mora the opportunityto be a visiting locker room attendantfor the Seattle Seahawks at a young age andwas a ball boy at the 1978 Rose Bowl.It was in New Orleans that Mora started todistinguish himself as one of the NFL's premierposition coaches as the Saints boastedthe top-ranked pass defense in the NFL duringhis first two years. Mora remained with NewOrleans through the 1996 season.Mora broke in to the NFL with the SanDiego Chargers in 1985. In his first year, hisposition was the first-ever in the NFL to beknown as a quality control coach, consistingof duties such as breaking down game film,charting defenses, opponent tendencies, selfscouttendencies and game analysis reports.He was named defensive assistant/secondaryone year later, a position he held untilearning the role of defensive backs coach in1989.After his playing days at the University ofWashington as a walk-on linebacker (1981-83),he began his coaching career as a defensiveassistant under Don James in 1984. While atWashington, Mora had the opportunity to be apart of two Rose Bowl teams, in addition tohelping the Huskies to a berth in the OrangeBowl as a graduate assistant in 1984.Established the Jim Mora Count on MeFamily Foundation on April 25, 2006 at theGeorgia Aquarium. The foundation targetsthree areas: children from low socio-economicbackgrounds, mentally and physically challengedchildren, and “at-risk” children wholack stability or support in their lives.Married to wife, Shannon, with daughterLillia, and sons, Cole, Ryder and Trey. Has twobrothers, Stephen, a mortgage broker inBend, Ore., and Michael, an architect inSeattle.MORA’S COACHING CAREER1984 University of WashingtonDefensive Assistant1985 San Diego ChargersQuality Control/Defense1986-88 San Diego ChargersDefensive Assistant/Secondary1989-91 San Diego ChargersDefensive Backs1992-96 New Orleans SaintsSecondary1997-98 San Francisco 49ersSecondary1999-03 San Francisco 49ersDefensive Coordinator2004-06 Atlanta FalconsExecutive. V.P./Head Coach2007- Seattle SeahawksAsst. Head Coach/Secondary