JAMES L. MORA
Jim Mora began his 25th season in the NFL as a color analyst for the NFL on FOX and the NFL NETWORK. Coaching for 24 seasons in the NFL, most recently for the Seattle Seahawks, Mora brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new position, with his meticulous preparation, unique communication skills and an intense passion for the game.
The son of former NFL head coach Jim Mora Sr., Mora is an alumnus of the University of Washington and attended Interlake High School in Bellevue. Mora returned to the Pacific Northwest, in 2007, spending two years as assistant head coach to Mike Holmgren and defensive secondary coach, then Head Coach in 2009.
The Falcons set a franchise record with 11 wins in his first season and Mora became only the 11th rookie coach in NFL history to win a division title. They moved on to the NFC Championship game in that first season – only the second time in club history – by virtue of defeating the St. Louis Rams 47-17 in the Divisional Playoff game before losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10.
Mora joined the Falcons from the San Francisco 49ers where he spent seven seasons, including the last five as defensive coordinator. In San Francisco, Mora instructed a group of young, up-and-coming players and helped them to fulfill their potential as the 49ers qualified for the postseason in two of the last three seasons. The last two seasons, Mora's defense finished no worse than No. 4 in the NFC against the run and in 2003, the 49ers recorded 36 takeaways, their most since 1997. In addition, at least one player from Mora's defense was named to the Pro Bowl in four of his last five seasons as defensive coordinator.
Mora's appointment with the Falcons was the product of a career that had been 19 years in the making. During that time, which has included stops in San Diego (1985-1991), New Orleans (1992-96) and San Francisco (1997-2003), he has had the opportunity to learn and study the game from some of the game's most respected coaches, which include Bill Walsh, Don Coryell, Steve Mariucci, Bobby Beathard, Jim Finks, Ernie Zampese, and his father, Jim, just to name a few. His football world also has been shaped by being surrounded by some of the most accomplished players of their time in the NFL and some future and current Hall of Famers.
Mora balances a style that is energetic, approachable and open-minded but at the same time he's a driven coach who is a passionate, hard-nosed, demanding competitor.
As a byproduct, the game of football has always enabled Mora to be exposed to people and experiences that most would not otherwise have the ability to come into contact with. From the chance to be a visiting locker room attendant for the Seattle Seahawks at a young age or to be a ball boy at the 1978 Rose Bowl to the opportunity to come into contact with important political minds, Mora has been able to create a well-rounded foundation, which has played a big role in his development as a person and as a coach. With a father - James Ernest Mora - that was one of the most successful head coaches (125 NFL career victories) in NFL history to lean on - James Lawrence Mora - has been the benefactor of that experience.
The philosophy of being prepared and having a second-to-none work ethic has always served Mora well both as a player and as a coach. As a linebacker at the University of Washington, Mora had to call on that work ethic in order to solidify his place on the team. In fact, the 1983 Huskies media guide described Mora as, "a one-time walk-on who has created jobs for himself through determination and hard work." It was at the University of Washington where Mora would encounter Huskies coaching legend Don James, one of the many individuals who have helped shape who Mora is today.
While at Washington, Mora had the opportunity to be a part of two Rose Bowl teams, in addition to helping the Huskies to a berth in the Orange Bowl as a graduate assistant on James' staff in 1984. After a one-year stint as a student assistant at Washington, Mora pointed his professional compass toward the NFL. Two teams - the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers - showed interest; Mora decided on San Diego. He filled the role as the first ever in the NFL to be known as a quality control coach with the Chargers in 1985.
Mora's initial job consisted of duties such as breaking down game film, charting defenses, opponent tendencies, self-scout tendencies and game analysis reports. Mora seized the opportunity to do as much as he could to learn the NFL ropes and also worked on the field with the secondary, handled daily practice scripts, schedules, helped on games plans, and even had the keys to every room in the building in case he had to get somewhere late at night if a door was locked.
After a shakeup on the San Diego coaching staff necessitated changes with the defensive staff, Mora found himself on the field in another capacity. As the only available coach who knew the defensive signals, Mora was asked to relay in the defenses from the sideline. The assignment officially launched Mora's NFL fulltime coaching career. He was named defensive backs assistant one year later, a position he held until earning the role of defensive backs coach in 1989. After a successful stint with the Chargers, Mora joined his father's staff in 1992 in New Orleans as secondary coach, where the elder Mora was in the process of making the Saints a regularly competitive outfit for the first time in their team history.
It was in New Orleans that Mora started to distinguish himself as one of the NFL's premier position coaches as the Saints boasted the No. 1 pass defense in the NFL during his first two years instructing the defensive backs. Mora remained with New Orleans through the 1996 season.
In 1997, he accepted a job offer as the San Francisco 49ers' defensive backs coach. It was there that he continued to raise eyebrows as a coach who knew exactly where to tap in order to get his players to respond. In his first year, the 49ers finished No. 1 in the NFL in total defense, No. 2 in pass defense (with 25 interceptions), takeaways (41) and run defense, as well as No. 3 in the League in sacks (with 54). Mora helped San Francisco advance to the NFC Championship Game in his first season where five members of the defense were voted to the Pro Bowl. A year later, Mora's troops tied for No. 1 in the NFC and No. 4 in the NFL with 21 interceptions.
Off the field, Mora spends as much time as possible with his family. Coach Mora and Shannon, his wife since 1992, have four children including: daughter Lillia, and sons, Cole, Ryder and Trey. Coming from a football family, Mora knows the importance of a quality family life and the importance of giving back. In Shannon, Mora matter-of-factly acknowledges the important role that his wife (and partner of over 28 years together) plays in his life. Together, Coach Mora and Shannon created the Jim Mora Count On Me Family Foundation, October 2005, to help make a difference in Georgia, and in 2009, the Foundation expanded to serve children in Washington as well. The Foundation is a grant making public charity, which holds annual fundraisers to support the grant process.
Jim served on the Board of Advisors at Eagle Ranch (Chestnut Mountain, Georgia), and is involved with Special Olympics.
In addition to serving as President of the Count on Me Family Foundation, Jim currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue, Crossfire Premier Soccer Club, and Agile/Hudl Sports Technology.
He also serves on the Coaches Advisory Board for the Positive Coaches Alliance and the Tackling Task Force Advisory Board for USA Football. A primary focus has been with concussion study and research serving as Chairman of the Sports Advisory Board of X2 Impact.
Career History
| 1984: | Defensive Asst. - Univ. of Washington |
1984: |
Quality Control/Defense - San Diego Chargers |
1985-88: |
Defensive Asst./Secondary - San Diego Chargers |
1989-91: |
Defensive Backs - San Diego Chargers |
1992-96: |
Secondary - New Orleans Saints |
1997-98: |
Secondary - San Francisco 49ers |
1999-2003: |
Defensive Coordinator - San Francisco 49ers |
2004-06: |
Head Coach - Atlanta Falcons |
2007-2008 |
Asst. Head Coach/Secondary - Seattle Seahawks |
2009-2010 |
Head Coach, Seattle Seahawks |