The Seattle Seahawks continue to improve their coaching staff ahead of the new season, [adding veteran college coach Jimmie Dougherty](https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/2037691304273125510) — a name widely respected for his work with quarterbacks and the passing game.
Dougherty arrives from the University of Washington, where he most recently served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. While this will be his first experience coaching at the NFL level, his career has been defined by steady progression and a consistent ability to develop talent at multiple stops.
A former quarterback at the University of Missouri, Dougherty began his coaching journey there as a graduate assistant from 2002 to 2003, working on the offensive side of the ball. He then moved to the University of San Diego from 2004 to 2006 as quarterbacks coach, where he helped shape the career of NFL journeyman Josh Johnson, one of the most productive passers in program history. His success led to a promotion to offensive coordinator from 2007 to 2008, where he continued to lead an efficient and aggressive passing attack.
In 2009, Dougherty joined Washington as a wide receivers coach, a role he held through 2012. During that stretch, he contributed to the development of receivers like Jermaine Kearse, who would later become a key contributor in Seattle’s Super Bowl run.
He then took over as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the San Jose State University from 2013 to 2016, working closely with David Fales and overseeing one of the more productive passing offenses in his conference.
After that stint, Dougherty spent 2017 at UCLA as an offensive analyst before moving to the University of Arizona, where he coached wide receivers from 2018 to 2020. He returned to UW in 2021 as quarterbacks coach, eventually earning a promotion to offensive coordinator, a position he held during the 2025 season.
Beyond the résumé, what stands out is the consistency of his role: Dougherty has spent more than two decades immersed in quarterback development and passing game structure, working with players who have successfully transitioned to the NFL.
For Seattle, this hire is about more than just adding another assistant. With both the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator stepping into their roles for the first time in their careers this season, Dougherty brings a layer of experience that could prove invaluable behind the scenes. His presence offers not only player development expertise, but also a seasoned voice in building and stabilizing the offensive system — something that could quietly play a major role in the Seahawks’ offensive growth in 2026.