Throughout the Browns' search for a new head coach, associate editor and staff writer Kelsey Russo will break down the candidates as they go through the interview process with the team. Next, let's look at Aden Durde, current Seahawks defensive coordinator.
1 ) When former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn hired Aden Durde as the defensive quality control coach in 2018, Durde became the first British full-time coach in NFL history. Durde spent four total seasons with the Falcons under Quinn, first as a coaching intern as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Fellowship in 2016, then as a defensive assistant from 2018-19 and outside linebackers coach in 2020. In 2019, Durde assisted in overseeing a defensive line unit that was anchored by Grady Jarrett and Tyeler Davison.
2 ) When Durde first joined the Seahawks' coaching staff in 2024 as their defensive coordinator, he made history once again as he became the NFL's first British-born defensive coordinator.
In his first season as defensive coordinator, Durde helped the development of the Seahawks' defensive unit that finished the season strong, ranking fifth in points allowed per game (18.4), fourth in yards allowed per game (304.8), fifth in first downs (18.1) and sixth in pass defense (205.0) during Weeks 11-18. In 2025, the Seahawks allowed the sixth-fewest total yards per game at 285.6 yards, 10th-fewest passing yards per game at 193.9 and third-fewest rushing yards per game at 91.0 yards. Seattle also allowed the fewest points per game at 17.2 during the 2025 regular season.
3) Durde served as the head of football development at NFLUK from 2015-18, where he helped create an international training program and helped launch the International Player Pathway program. Working with Super Bowl champion and former Falcon Osi Umenyiora, Durde helped four international players – tight end Alex Gray (Atlanta), defensive end Alex Jenkins (New Orleans), defensive end Efe Obada (Washington) and linebacker Eric Nzeocha (Tampa Bay) – transition to practice squads in 2017.
4 ) Durde broke into coaching in the NFL through the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the Cowboys in 2014 and 2015. He also spent the 2016 training camp with the Falcons as part of the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship.
5 ) A native of North London, England, Durde grew up playing American football and played linebacker for local clubs – including the London Olympians. He then played linebacker in NFL Europe for six years with the Scottish Claymores and Hamburg Sea Devils. He was also a member of Hamburg's 2007 NFL Europa World Bowl XV Championship team, the final championship in the European league history. After he ended his playing career, Durde served as the defensive coordinator of the London Warriors of the BAFA National Leagues for six seasons from 2011-16.
