RENTON, Wash. (AP) - The many in Seattle who are desperate to see the University of Washington football program turn around are wondering whether the contract Jim Mora has to succeed Mike Holmgren as the Seahawks' coach in 2009 is ironclad.

The Seahawks aren't nearly as desperate to clear that up. They are letting the signed contract speak for itself.

Both Mora and team president Tim Ruskell walked off the practice field without stopping to answer questions and both were not made available to talk about the issue on Wednesday, two days after Washington fired coach Tyrone Willingham, effective at the end of this season.

Mora, Seattle's defensive backs coach, grew up in the Seattle area and played linebacker for the Huskies under Don James from 1981-83. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the UW in 1984. A few years ago the former coach of the Atlanta Falcons made an offhand, joking comment to a Seattle radio host and friend that being Washington's head coach would be his dream job. Ever since, Huskies fans have clamored to make that "dream" a reality.

Washington officials haven't exactly debunked the idea of Mora coming to Montlake.

Athletic director Scott Woodward said on the morning he fired Willingham he would consult with Mora on the situation because he was a key member of the Husky family. Later Monday, when asked specifically about Mora, university president Mark Emmert did not say Mora was off-limits because he was under contract with the Seahawks. Emmert only said he would not discuss possible candidates or respond to speculation.

The Seahawks say Mora's contract to replace Holmgren, believed to be worth almost $5 million annually, was signed in February and is a done deal.

If so, that would apparently be good news for Lane Kiffin. The ex-Raiders coach told The Associated Press on Monday night he is interested in the Huskies job.

Others being prominently mentioned, and being asked, about the opening are Missouri coach Gary Pinkel and Boise State coach Chris Petersen. Pinkel was a Huskies offensive assistant from 1979-1990 and a tight ends coach in 1976. He dismissed the speculation as a "distraction" while talking to reporters this week.

Petersen has said how happy he is at Boise State.

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FINALLY!: Holmgren jokingly called new starting cornerback Josh Wilson a "media darling" after the affable top pick from 2007 intercepted a pass and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown last weekend late in the first half to spark the Seahawks' rout of the 49ers.

Wilson said everyone was excited on the sidelines, but he couldn't hear what they were saying "because I was so tired."

"I was trying to move people out of the way to get to the water," he said.

He got that - and Seattle got its first win in five weeks.

"I just see him getting better and better and better and better. He's a competitive tough guy who teams pick on a little bit," Holmgren said.

"Josh is kind of a fun-loving guy and he talks a lot. So I said, 'Let's keep our feet on the ground here. I know you've become kind of a media darling but understand we've got a long ways to go here and you're just starting.' It's all good."

Wilson's play, plus a 50-yard return of a fumble recovery by end Patrick Kerney, seemed like the first big turnover plays on defense in eons.

"I just said, 'Thank God! Maybe this will open the door for us,"' defensive coordinator John Marshall said. "It was getting to the point of thinking, 'God, can we ever make a play?"'

Seattle (2-5) has seven takeaways, tied for fewest in the NFL.

Philadelphia (4-3), Sunday's opponent, has 15 takeaways. That's tied for second in the league.

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QUICK HITS: Lofa Tatupu watched practice Wednesday wearing a baseball cap and may not practice this week because of a groin injury, but Holmgren said the Pro Bowl LB should be able to play Sunday against a team he's had his best games against. ... WR Koren



Robinson didn't practice, resting his sore knee. Holmgren said he will likely play, too. ... If Kerney (sore shoulder) can't play - as it appeared when he missed practice and had his arm in a sling - Baraka Atkins moves into the rotation behind Darryl Tapp and rookie Lawrence Jackson. Jackson recently lost his starting job to Tapp.