The 2023 offseason welcomes several new faces to the Seahawks coaching staff, including a handful of new faces, and some familiar ones, serving as assistants under Pete Carroll. In addition to quarterbacks coach Greg Olson, whose hiring was announced earlier this month, the Seahawks added four more assistants this week as they finalized their 2023, while also promoting Neiko Thorpe from coaching intern to a full-time role. Here is more info on those five new additions to the coaching staff:
Roy Anderson - Secondary
Roy Anderson will be coaching up the Seahawks secondary in 2023 after serving as Minnesota Vikings assistant defensive backs coach for the previous two seasons. Prior to a coaching career at the collegiate and professional level over the last two decades, Anderson was a quarterback at Howard University before returning home to his native Tallahassee as a graduate assistant at Florida A&M University.
BT Jordan - Pass Rush Specialist
The reputation speaks for itself when it comes to new pass rush specialist Coach Brandon "BT" Jordan. After helping Michigan State's defensive group compile 72 sacks in the past two seasons, Jordan has risen to the NFL ranks with Seattle. Jordan's path is unique, as he's worked with more than 200 NFL players via his camps and private workout sessions. And the results speak for themselves, from All-Pro's like Von Miller and J.J. Watt, to Seattle's own Uchenna Nwosu. A career-high 9.5 sacks for Nwosu in 2022 isn't the only proof in the pudding, as Jordan's work with New England Patriots linebacker Josh Uche helped produce a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2022.
Donovan Jackson - Offensive Assistant
The second addition to the staff with a HBCU background, along with Anderson, is new offensive assistant Donovan Jackson. The Norfolk State alum played offensive and defensive line for the Spartans, serving as team captain as an upperclassman. After college, Jackson played arena football before trading his pads for a headset. After several years coaching at the high school level, Jackson joined the staff at his alma mater as an offensive line assistant in 2014. After some time at Division II HBCU Savannah State as an offensive line coach, Jackson headed to the SEC at LSU. Over the last decade, Jackson has risen from a coaching intern for several teams to a national scout role with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.
Robbie Picazo - Offensive Assistant
Former Stanford quarterback Robbie Picazo continues his NFL coaching journey, joining Seattle's staff for the 2023 season. Picazo brings his field experience and time behind teammate and former Indianapolis Colt Andrew Luck to help Seattle's offense. In 2022, Picazo served as an offensive assistant for the Houston Texans, working with fellow Stanford alum Davis Mills. Before joining the NFL ranks, Picazo helped the Rice University Owls, serving as quarterbacks and running backs coach for two seasons each.
Neiko Thorpe - Defensive Assistant
From player, to coaching intern, to full-time defensive coaching assistant, Seahawks Legend Neiko Thorpe continues to elevate in the Emerald City. The Auburn alum spent five seasons at cornerback in Seattle's secondary and was a key special teams player, serving as Seattle's special teams captain for three straight seasons from 2018-2020.
Thorpe's personality has aided Seattle, as he's been an ambassador on the 12 Tour through Canada. He's also won the hearts of the players for his work on the field, including 2022 rookie corner Coby Bryant.
"Neiko is a funny guy man," said Bryant. "But he's actually teaching me a lot. I meet with him and "DeShawn) Shead every day."
And speaking of Shead, the former Seahawks defensive back earned a promotion for 2023, taking on the title assistant defensive backs coach/cornerbacks.
Defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy became the 10th member inducted into the Seahawks Ring of Honor and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012. Kennedy played 11 season in the NFL, all with the Seahawks, appearing in eight Pro Bowls. Take a look back at photos of him through the years.