North Texas Product Zach Orr Joins Seattle Staff

The move comes after Orr turned down an offer from the Dallas Cowboys for the same position, according to Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS. The Las Vegas Raiders had also requested to interview Orr for their defensive coordinator opening, but he chose to reunite with Macdonald instead.

Orr’s journey from undrafted UNT linebacker to NFL coach represents a North Texas success story marked by both triumph and adversity. After spending two seasons primarily on special teams with Baltimore, Orr emerged as a starter in his third year, leading the Ravens with 133 total tackles and earning second-team All-Pro honors alongside C.J. Mosley. However, his playing career ended abruptly when an injury revealed a congenital neck and spine condition that forced his retirement.

The Ravens hired Orr as a defensive analyst just 12 days after his retirement in 2017. His coaching career included a stint with Urban Meyer in Jacksonville as outside linebackers coach in 2021 before returning to Baltimore as inside linebackers coach and eventually succeeding Macdonald as defensive coordinator.

Orr’s tenure as Ravens defensive coordinator produced mixed results. In his first season, Baltimore’s defense ranked 25th in points allowed, 27th in yards allowed, and dead last in passing yards allowed through 10 weeks. After personnel adjustments, the Ravens fielded the NFL’s best defense in all three categories over the final six weeks, finishing ninth in scoring defense and 10th in total defense.

The 2025 season proved more challenging. Despite fielding All-Pros Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey alongside recent first-round picks Nate Wiggins and Malaki Starks, Baltimore finished 18th in points allowed, 24th in yards allowed, and 30th against the pass.

After the Ravens fired head coach John Harbaugh, Orr interviewed for defensive coordinator positions with the Los Angeles Chargers and Cowboys. The Cowboys maintained contact throughout the process and extended the linebackers coaching offer that Orr ultimately declined.

Macdonald had previously wanted to bring Orr to Seattle as defensive coordinator when he first took the head coaching position, but Baltimore prevented the move by promoting Orr to defensive coordinator themselves.

Former Ravens director of strategy and assistant quarterbacks coach Daniel Stern will also join the Seattle staff, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Baltimore had hired a replacement for Stern’s position when it appeared he might follow Todd Monken to Cleveland, but Stern chose Seattle instead.

The Ravens completed their new coaching staff under head coach Jesse Minter, promoting Andrew Rogan to defensive quality control coach. Rogan joined Baltimore in 2021 as a player personnel assistant and moved to coaching and scouting analyst in 2023.