Holmgren To Retire In 09', Mora To Take Over

Jim Mora will succeed Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, beginning with the 2009 season. After serving as the assistant head coach and defensive backs coach for one more season, the 46-year-old Mora will begin a new, four-year contract as the head coach. Seahawks president Tim Ruskell and chief executive officer Tod Leiweke both emphasized during a news conference Wednesday that the move gives the team stability and unity. "What (Holmgren's) done here, by announcing his retirement a year ahead of time, has afforded this organization to make a smooth transition, to be seamless, to be non-chaotic," Ruskell said. "Which is kind of rare in the sports world -- certainly in the NFL. "We all know about the elongated processes and the back-stabbing, some of the ugly things that can go on. Well, we're not going to have that." Holmgren pushed for the announcement now, so players who are poised to enter free agency next month can judge Seattle while knowing who its coach will be beyond next season. AP