Holmgren’s Wife Is Taking a Super Trip of Her Own

DETROIT —  Do they watch the Super Bowl in Congo?

Kathy Holmgren will find out. She’s the wife of Seattle Seahawk Coach Mike Holmgren, and instead of attending Sunday’s game, she’ll be a nurse on an aid mission to Africa with her daughter, Calla, a doctor. They’re leaving Thursday for a 17-day trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“We didn’t know when she signed up for this thing four months ago that we’d be in the Super Bowl,” the coach said Sunday. “In fact, we didn’t even think about the dates being a problem.”

That said, Holmgren is “very proud” of their decision and the sacrifice they’re making. Kathy took a similar trip to Congo 35 years ago, when it was known as Zaire, and Mike suggested she leap at the opportunity to do it again.

“I said, ‘Why don’t you go with her?’ ” he said. “It was the best present I could ever give her.

“[Kathy] works very hard at a lot of things that are a lot more important than coaching a football game,” he said. “Her heart’s here.... She gets nervous at the games anyway.”

As for what happens in the game?

“I’ll let her know who wins when she gets back,” he said.

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The Seahawks are staying at the Hyatt in Dearborn, about 10 miles from downtown Detroit, and their presence there is no secret.

Flying outside their hotel is one flag with the team logo and another bearing a “12” in honor of their “12th man,” their raucous home crowd.

“Did you see it on our plane? Mr. Allen has a little 12 on the front of the plane now,” said defensive end Bryce Fisher, referring to team owner Paul Allen. “Our fans were supporting us all along, when the media thought we’d lose the tough games. They’ve cheered us all along.”

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Seattle fullback Mack Strong has been a Seahawk his entire 12-year career, and there were times he thought this day might never come.

“This is the most exciting time of my life professionally,” he said. “That’s the only way I can describe it. We’re going to be inundated with media from around the world. All eyes will be on Detroit. I know that all my friends I have throughout the league will be watching this game. I’ve got countless e-mails and phone calls from friends around the country that will be tuning in to the game.”

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The Steelers are expected to arrive today at 7 a.m. PST on a chartered flight, then will make their first comments to the media at 12:30 p.m.

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The Detroit Lions announced that Donnie Henderson is the team’s new defensive coordinator.

Henderson comes to the Lions after two seasons as the New York Jets’ defensive coordinator. He parted ways with the team after Eric Mangini was hired as coach Jan. 17.

Henderson oversaw a vast improvement in the Jets’ defense as the team made the playoffs in his first season there. In 2005, the defense played well at times but could not carry an anemic offense. Injuries also plagued the team, which finished 4-12.

Before joining the Jets, Henderson spent five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, first as assistant defensive backs coach and then as defensive backs coach.

Lion Coach Rod Marinelli also announced that Chuck Priefer will return next season as special-teams coordinator. The Lions also said Phil Snow will be the new linebacker coach; he was a defensive assistant for the Lions last season.

Defensive assistant Don Clemons, assistant special-teams coach Stan Kwan and coaching assistant Adam Gase also will be retained.

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The Green Bay Packers made Tom Clements their quarterback coach.

Clements spent the last two seasons as offensive coordinator for Buffalo, which fired him Jan. 6.

He has coached quarterbacks for seven years with Pittsburgh, Kansas City and New Orleans.

He also worked as quarterbacks coach for his alma mater, Notre Dame, under Lou Holtz.

Associated Press contributed to this report.