Jim Mora attended Hyak JH and Interlake HS in Bellevue, where he graduated in 1980. Mora was a member of the fraternity Lamda Chi Alpha and played DB at UW from 1980-83, appearing in two Rose Bowls. He began his coaching career directly after college as a graduate assistant for the Huskies under head coach Don James in 1984, and began his pro football coaching career in 1985.
Jim Mora hired on as a quality control coach with the San Diego Chargers in1985 moving up to coach the secondary in1 989. In 1992 he moved to the New Orleans Saints to coach under his father Jim Mora Sr. In 1997 the younger Mora moved to the San Francisco 49ers to coach under Steve Mariucci, and became the 49ers' DCin 1999. He was retained by Dennis Erickson in 2004.
In 2004 Mora was hired as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. He led the Falcons to a 11-5 record and a playoff berth his first year. In 2005 the team slid to 8-8 and in 2006 the Falcons finished 7-9 and he was fired after the season was concluded. Jim dodged a bullet ont ht one because that following spring the Michael Vick dogfighting scandal began to surface and Mora was safe back home coaching the Seahawk DB's in Seattle. Mora has ageed to become the Seahwks head coach in 2009 when Mike Holmgren retires.
On December 14th, 2006 while the Falcons were still statistically alive in their quest for the playoffs, Mora said during a radio interview with Dave "Softy" Mahler and former Huskies teammate / roommate Hugh Millen on KJR-AM that if it were offered, he would take the head coaching job at Washington even if the Falcons were in a playyoff run. While Mora later claimed that he was only kidding, he was criticized by many Falcons fans as well as members of the national media who claimed that making such comments was irresponsible.
The statement didn't go over well with current UW head coach Tyrone Willingham and the AD at the time Todd Turner. It is also rumored that it also turned off President Mark Emmert. There is an unwritten rule in college football that you never publically covet an existing coaches position.
Even though Mora is lined up for a $20 million dollar deal with the Seahawks there are rumors that both entitites may be willing to rethink that move if Mora still wants the UW job. Mora has been very silent this season which is a sign to many that he still would like to be considered for the job. Most feel that since he hasn't issued a disclaimer that he may still have interest.
For Washington to hire Mora it is going to cost some serious money. That can be said for any of the top coaches on their list which includes California's Jeff Tedford and Missouri's Gary Pinkel. any of those three are going to cost you upwards of $2.5 million per year.
Most of us are very comfortable with the idea of Jim Mora Jr as head coach of the Huskies. First of all he is the son of former Husky assistant Jim Mora. He has that Don James Rose Bowl pedigree, and most importantly he has the ability to unite and ignite the entire fan base.
Most of us feel he will be they type of recruiter that can butt heads with Carroll, Bellotti, Teford, and Neuheisel and come away with his share of big time athletes even though he has spent his entire career in the pro's.
I personally love the idea of Mora coaching the Huskies. I think he is one of the few guys that are out there that can turn this thing around quickly.
Where exactly does Jim Mora Jr rank on your personal list of Husky coaching candidates?
Do you think Jim Mora Jr is the right fit for Washington?
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