Pete Carroll's storied coaching career may be over.
In a surprising move, the Super Bowl-winning coach is stepping down as head coach of the Seahawks. The team announced Wednesday afternoon..
Mr. Carroll will instead transition into an advisory role.
Seahawks President Jody Allen said in a statement: “After careful meetings and careful consideration in the best interests of the franchise, we are happy to confirm that Pete Carroll's role has evolved from head coach and that he will remain with the organization as an advisor. I agree with the terms of the agreement,” he said in a statement.
Entering Week 18, when the Seahawks needed outside help to get back into the playoffs, rumors were flying about Carroll's coaching future.
The Seahawks finished the season 9-8 with a road win over the Cardinals, but missed the playoffs as the Packers won the tiebreaker.
Carroll on Monday downplayed the idea that he might be ready to walk away from coaching.
“I'm going to coach this team,” Carroll said Monday morning on “The Pete Carroll Show.” Transcribed by sports.mynorthwest.com. “And I told you, I love these guys. That's what I want to do and I want to see how far you can go.”
Furthermore, he added: I'm not tired. I'm not like that. I need to do a better job, I need to help the coaches more, we need to do a better job of coaching. ”
The Seahawks are currently the seventh available team, and whoever replaces Carroll will have a tough job following him.
Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who previously held the same role with the Seahawks, is expected to be the frontrunner. by Sports Illustrated.
Carroll, 72, led Seattle to its only Super Bowl title during the 2013 season and compiled a 137-89-1 (.606) record during his 14-year tenure.
Carroll also had brief stints with the Jets (1994) and Patriots (1997-1999) before finding sustained success as USC's head coach.
He led the Seahawks to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in the 2013-2014 season, but never reached the conference championship game.
The last time Seattle won a playoff game was during the 2019 season.
“Pete is the winningest coach in Seahawks history, led our city to its first Super Bowl championship, and has had a tremendous impact on the field and in our community over the past 14 years,” the Seahawks said in a statement. “His expertise in building leadership and championship cultures will continue as an integral part of our organization.
“Pete will always be a beloved member of the Seahawks family.”
