Jim Mora made a good impression as the new Seattle Seahawks head coach in his first press conference as the team's head man.

Mora paid homage to his predecessor, Mike Holmgren, saying he learned a lot observing Holmgren the last two seasons. Mora was hired as Seattle's coach-in-waiting last year and as he served as defensive backs coach, Mora soaked up as much as he could from his legendary boss.

"Over the past two years I have had other opportunities to become a head football coach," Mora said. "But what is important to me is not being a head football coach, but being a successful head football coach. And the past two years have been an incredible opportunity personally to learn from one of the all-time greats."

The new coach addressed all aspects of the game, but he paid particular attention to his offense. Mora showed support for his Pro-Bowl quarterback, calling Matt Hasselbeck "one of the best quarterbacks in the game." He went on to say that the offense won't change much under new coordinator Greg Knapp and Hasselbeck will still be given free rein to audible in the field.

With Hasselbeck side-lined for much of the 2008 season with an ailing back, the Seahawks struggled to a 4-12 record. Back-up Seneca Wallace started eight games and threw for a little over 1,500 yards and eleven touchdowns.

Mora will now take charge in Seattle and he faces a tougher job than he may have expected after the last few years.

"Today, we pass the torch from Mike Holmgren to Jim Mora with high expectations and belief that Jim's going to carry on the legacy that Mike established here over the last 10 years," Seattle general manager Tim Ruskell said.