British Coach Two Wins from Super Bowl Glory

A coach who once volunteered with an amateur team in London is now two victories away from coaching in the Super Bowl.

Aden Durde, 46, started his American football journey playing in Finsbury Park and coaching the London Warriors while mentoring at-risk children in north London. Today, he's the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, who just clinched the top playoff seed with a 14-3 record.

The transformation has been remarkable. During Seattle's crucial 13-3 victory over San Francisco two weeks ago, Durde paused to soak in the moment. "The atmosphere was so electric," he said. "To think where I am kind of blows me away sometimes."

His path to the NFL started unexpectedly in 2014. While visiting Texas with the Warriors, he scored an impromptu interview with the Dallas Cowboys and landed an internship. He grabbed the opportunity and never looked back.

By 2018, Durde became the NFL's first British full-time coach with the Atlanta Falcons. After stops in Dallas, he joined Seattle in 2024 alongside head coach Mike Macdonald, and together they've built something special.

The numbers tell the story. In 2023, Seattle had one of the league's worst defenses. This season, they've allowed the fewest points in the NFL at just 17.2 per game.

Why This Inspires

Durde hasn't forgotten where he came from. He co-founded the International Player Pathway with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora to help overseas athletes break into the NFL. He regularly responds to messages from aspiring coaches worldwide seeking guidance.

"People message me from different countries and talk to me about opportunities," he said. "At those times you remind yourself of where you came from. It isn't easy and hopefully one day it will be a lot easier."

The Seahawks' success stems from a simple philosophy Macdonald repeats daily: "12 as 1," referring to how Seattle's famously loud fans act as the team's 12th player. After missing the playoffs on a tiebreaker last year, the extra time to build paid off spectacularly.

Durde has already been interviewed for head coaching positions with Atlanta and Cleveland. But right now, he's focused on the present. "I'm having the time of my life," he said. "When you just go about your business, things change when they need to change."

If Seattle wins their next two games, Durde will coach in Super Bowl 60 on February 8th, potentially becoming Britain's first champion.

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