Seahawks coordinator Shurmur takes leave to battle "illness"
sports.yahoo.com
KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON (TICKER) -- Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur will take a leave of absence to battle a "serious illness," the team announced today.
"Fritz has been diagnosed with a serious illness that will require a period of extensive treatment," coach Mike Holmgren said. "It is the hope that the treatment will allow him to resume his coaching duties sometime in the future."
Shurmur, 66, was hired by the Seahawks on January 14, following Holmgren from Green Bay. A 24-year NFL coaching veteran, Shurmur spent the last five years as defensive coordinator with the Packers, helping Green Bay reach back-to-back Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998.
He has spent 18 years as a defensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals.
Shurmur began his coaching career in 1954 as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Albion College. He served as a football and swimming coach through 1961, when he became an assistant at Wyoming. His first pro job came with the Lions in 1975.
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