Dan Quinn has found his linebackers coach. Per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Washington Commanders are hiring former Pro Bowl linebacker and veteran NFL assistant Ken Norton Jr. as their new linebackers coach.
Former #Raiders and #Seahawks defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. is joining the #Commanders as their linebackers coach, per sources.
A former All-Pro LB, Norton most recently coached the position at UCLA. Now he reunites with former Seattle colleague Dan Quinn in Washington. pic.twitter.com/ir2MYOgPCH
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 12, 2024
Norton, 57, enjoyed a 13-year playing career that ended in 2000. He spent the first six seasons of his career with the Dallas Cowboys before signing with the San Francisco 49ers in 1994, where he played the remainder of his career.
Norton was a part of three Super Bowl champions, was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, a one-time first-team All-Pro and a one-time second-team All-Pro selection. Norton played 191 games with 188 starts, finishing with 1,272 tackles.
Norton began his coaching career with the USC Trojans in 2004 as the linebackers coach and won a national championship.
Here’s a look at each stop of Norton’s coaching career:
- USC Trojans (2004-08): Linebackers coach
- USC Trojans (2009): Assistant head coach & linebackers coach
- Seattle Seahawks (2010-14): Linebackers coach
- Oakland Raiders (2015-17): Defensive coordinator
- Seattle Seahawks (2018-21): Defensive coordinator
- UCLA Bruins (2022-23): Linebackers coach
Norton, the son of former World Champion boxer Ken Norton, played collegiately at UCLA and, in addition to winning three Super Bowls as a player, won one as an assistant with the Seahawks.
Norton’s addition follows John Pagano’s hiring as a senior defensive assistant, giving new defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. several experienced voices on defense.
The Commanders have yet to officially hire a defensive line coach and secondary coach.