Former CFL quarterback Kerry Joseph has landed an NFL coaching job.
Joseph has been hired as an offensive assistant with the Seattle Seahawks, according to Michael Ball of CKRM 620 in Regina.
“I’ll be in the running back room assisting the running back coach Chad Morton. Offensive assistant, quality control, working and helping out in many facets. Learning the process and program coach Pete Carroll is running and grow from there,” Joseph said on the Growing the Game podcast.
“My goal is to eventually at one point be an OC [offensive coordinator] I’ve always had the dream of coaching in the NFL. When I got he call and asked if I was interested in the position, I went through the interview process virtually.”
The McNeese State University graduate started his coaching career at his alma mater as co-offensive coordinator and receivers in coach 2016. In 2018, Joseph switched focus on positions, moving from pass catchers to quarterbacks. He was named interim head coach in November 2018 and spent the 2019 season as the passing game coordinator and running backs coach at Southeastern Louisiana University.
“I’ve always admired Pete Carroll, watching him in the past, the way he interacts with his players, the energy that he brings on the sidelines. You can see the energy that trickles down into his staff,” Joseph said.
“He has a lot of energy, a lot of juice with him. You see why guys love to play for him. I’ve always been fascinated with the way he coaches and now I get to be a part of it.”
The 46-year-old spent two training camps with NFL coaching staffs, the New Orleans Saints in 2014 and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017. Joseph spent five seasons in the NFL, one with Cincinnati in 1996 and four in Seattle from 1998-2002 as a defensive back. He played in 56 games, starting 14, making 143 tackles, defending 11 passes, notching six tackles for loss and three interceptions while returning kicks and punts. Prior to the 2003 CFL season, Joseph signed with the Ottawa Renegades.
Joseph was the CFL Most Outstanding Player in 2007 when he led the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a Grey Cup championship. He played 12 seasons in the three-down league for Ottawa, Saskatchewan, Toronto and Edmonton, throwing for 28,097 yards, 148 touchdowns against 126 interceptions with a 58.4 completion rate. The dual-threat pivot added 4,584 rushing yards and 63 touchdowns on the ground.
Seattle has a quarterback with a similar skillset to Joseph when he played: Russell Wilson. Wilson has produced an 86-41-1 win-loss record in seven NFL seasons and the franchise has made the playoffs every year since Wilson has been at the helm. He led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship in 2014 over the Denver Broncos.
“Russell has been a great quarterback in the NFL. He’s the one that makes the offence go. You see his leadership and I just can’t wait to be a part of it,” Joseph said.
Just like proving himself as a quarterback in the pros, Joseph will be focused on doing the same as an NFL coach.
