DeWayne Walker remains a top candidate to become Pete Carroll‘s defensive coordinator with the Seahawks, according to league sources.

Walker, currently the head coach at New Mexico State, became close to Carroll during his time on the USC staff before becoming UCLA’s defensive coordinator. Although Walker is only one year into his first head-coaching job, sources said he’s interested in this position in Seattle.

Walker runs a defense styled on that of current Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Walker was a much-respected secondary coach for Williams with the Redskins for two years before leaving for UCLA, and took many of Williams’ attacking principles with him.

Other coaches who could join Carroll’s staff include Ken Norton Jr. as linebackers coach (he’s a former NFL linebacker) and Pat Ruel as offensive line coach.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak told The Houston Chronicle Tuesday that assistant head coach/offense Alex Gibbs, whose contract had just expired, will be on Carroll’s Seahawks staff.

“Alex called this morning and said he had a heck of an offer from Seattle, and I wished him the best,” Kubiak said. “He did a great job for us, and he’ll do a great job for them.”

It wasn’t immediately known what Gibbs’ role in Seattle would be.

The Seahawks also are scheduled to name Jeremy Bates, who was with Carroll at USC, as offensive coordinator.

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