Pete Carroll’s 14-year reign as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks wasn’t just a period; it was an era, defining what Seattle football meant to fans and the NFL. Carroll, with his infectious energy and unwavering optimism, transformed a franchise and a city, delivering unprecedented success, including their only Super Bowl victory. His departure marks not just the end of a coaching tenure but the close of a significant chapter in Seahawks history, leaving the crucial question: What comes next for Seattle football?
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By Danny Kelly • 9 min
“We weren’t anything. And then we were something. And we made something special.”
These words from Pete Carroll at his farewell press conference encapsulate the essence of his time with the Seattle Seahawks. Reflecting on the enduring connections with former players, Carroll highlighted the profound impact he had in Seattle, not just on the field but in building a lasting culture. His sudden departure, announced as an “evolution” to an advisor role, was widely understood as a firing, signaling a definitive end to his coaching era. Despite the circumstances, Carroll’s characteristic enthusiasm remained undimmed as he declared himself “frickin’ jacked” for his next chapter.
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The emotional farewell press conference underscored the significance of Carroll’s departure. It was a moment of gratitude and reflection, acknowledging his transformative impact on Seattle sports. Arriving in 2010, Carroll inherited a struggling franchise and, against many predictions, ignited a football revolution. He cultivated a winning culture, leading the Seahawks to unforgettable moments that resonated deeply within the city.
From the seismic “Beast Quake” run by Marshawn Lynch against the Saints to Richard Sherman’s game-saving “Tip” against the 49ers, and culminating in the dominant 43-8 Super Bowl XLVIII victory over Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos, Carroll’s Seahawks delivered a decade of thrilling, iconic plays. Pete Carroll Football became synonymous with winning, establishing an impressive 137-89-1 record during his 14 seasons. Under his leadership, the Seahawks clinched five NFC West titles and reached the playoffs ten times, securing the franchise’s first and only Lombardi Trophy.
Pete Carroll is indelibly linked to Seahawks football. He departs as the greatest coach in the team’s history and rightfully earns a place among the NFL’s coaching legends. Joining an elite group of coaches who have won both a college national championship and a Super Bowl (alongside Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer), Carroll’s influence extends far beyond mere wins and losses. His impact is deeply embedded in both the schematic and philosophical approaches to football coaching. In a profession often categorizing coaches as either tactical masterminds or culture-builders, Pete Carroll excelled as both, a rare and potent combination.
Carroll’s schematic contributions are widespread and enduring. His “Legion of Boom” Cover 3 defense became the gold standard, frequently emulated yet rarely matched. His success spurred a league-wide trend towards acquiring tall, rangy cornerbacks in the mold of Richard Sherman, explosive, undersized linebackers like Bobby Wagner, and ball-hawking safeties reminiscent of Earl Thomas. Teams consistently poached Seattle assistant coaches, eager to replicate the Seahawks’ defensive prowess. Former Carroll disciples like Gus Bradley, Robert Saleh, Dan Quinn, Todd Wash, and Ken Norton Jr. ascended to defensive coordinator or head coaching roles across the league, further disseminating the principles of Pete Carroll football.
Offensively, Carroll was equally innovative. With Russell Wilson at quarterback from 2012, the Seahawks emerged as pioneers of the read-option offense. Carroll and General Manager John Schneider also revolutionized roster construction. Early in their tenure, they aggressively overhauled the Seahawks roster, executing an unprecedented 284 transactions in 2010 alone. This constant churn aimed to uncover hidden talent and undervalued players. They developed sophisticated evaluation systems, including a Seahawks-specific adaptation of the Nike SPARQ score, to identify athletes with untapped potential in later draft rounds. This approach contributed to the discovery of key players like tight end Luke Willson, receiver Jermaine Kearse, and cornerback Jeremy Lane, demonstrating the effectiveness of Pete Carroll’s player development philosophy.
However, it was Pete Carroll’s exceptional ability to build and nurture team culture that truly distinguished him and solidified his legacy as the Seahawks’ head coach. From day one, he embodied an unwavering positive attitude, a trait initially met with skepticism in Seattle. Some critics dismissed him as a rah-rah college coach whose motivational style would fall flat with NFL veterans. Yet, when the Seahawks defied expectations, winning a division title and a playoff berth in his first season, culminating in the electrifying Beast Quake victory over the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card round, it became undeniable that the culture Carroll cultivated at USC could indeed flourish in the professional ranks. Pete Carroll football was more than just a game plan; it was a holistic program built on positivity and empowerment.
The Super Bowl XLVIII triumph two years later underscored the power of Carroll’s approach. “This is the culmination of years working with guys, and teams and coaches,” Carroll explained. “This is the result of a journey to figure out how you can create an environment where people can find their best, stay at their best, foster their best for the people around them so that everybody can join in.” This philosophy of collective growth and mutual support was at the heart of Pete Carroll football.
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Carroll’s coaching program centers on unlocking the maximum potential of every player and coach. His book, Win Forever: Live, Work, and Play Like a Champion, articulates that “winning” transcends the final score; it’s about the relentless pursuit of excellence and striving to be the best version of oneself. Carroll and his staff positioned themselves as guides in this journey of self-improvement, committed to helping individuals grow daily. His mantra for coaches, “learn your learner,” emphasized the importance of personalized coaching, recognizing that each player learns differently. This individualized approach aimed to maintain high player engagement and foster a dynamic learning environment every day.
“I’ve said it: If we’re not having fun, I’m totally screwing up,” Carroll stated on Wednesday. “It’s part of making the environment that you work in alive, and sometimes uncertain. You don’t know what to expect from what’s going to happen next. It’s like going into your high school class, maybe it was a history class, and you had a teacher that was really unique. The music was playing or there was something going on and you could hear it as you were walking down the hall and you couldn’t wait to find out what was going on that day. That’s what this learning environment was supposed to be like. Every day you had to come in, you didn’t know what was going to happen. It’s needed to keep you at the very peak of your awareness and focus.” This emphasis on fun and unpredictability was a deliberate strategy to keep players mentally sharp and engaged.
A prime example of this unique approach was highlighted in The Athletic‘s report by Michael-Shawn Dugar and Jayson Jenks, detailing the legendary nature of Pete Carroll’s team meetings in Seattle. Players described daily meetings as anything but routine, with Carroll often introducing spontaneous games and pranks to inject energy and keep everyone on their toes. One memorable anecdote involves Carroll introducing a “new Gatorade” to players, only for a fake snake to jump out when they opened the cooler. Carroll, having secretly filmed their reactions, then played the footage for the team the following day, showcasing his commitment to levity and camaraderie. This playful atmosphere was integral to Pete Carroll football, fostering a unique team dynamic.
Guiding an entire roster towards self-actualization is undoubtedly demanding. Yet, Pete Carroll possessed an inexhaustible well of energy. His approach was consistently “one person at a time,” building relationships and fostering individual growth within the team framework. “It works. It’s real. And you can feel it,” he affirmed, emphasizing the tangible impact of his personal connection-driven coaching style.
However, the strength of Carroll’s core philosophies faced significant tests over time. The Seahawks’ devastating Super Bowl XLIX loss to the New England Patriots fractured the cultural bedrock Carroll had established. Russell Wilson’s interception at the 1-yard line, denying what seemed like a second consecutive Super Bowl victory, triggered internal strife and blame. Some players openly criticized Carroll’s decision to pass the ball in that critical situation. Recapturing the locker room magic that defined Pete Carroll football proved to be a years-long process, only fully realized after the departure of several prominent players.
Carroll’s embrace of individuality and self-expression, while empowering, also contributed to periods of drama, both on and off the field. The Seahawks, in the years following the Super Bowl loss, were sometimes described as a “Circus,” a moniker reflecting the team’s rollercoaster of controversies and triumphs. Despite the occasional chaos, Carroll consistently managed to maintain team unity. He seemed to thrive in the midst of it, skillfully navigating complex situations, including the trade of franchise icon Russell Wilson. Transitioning to Geno Smith at quarterback, the Seahawks remained competitive. While they haven’t returned to Super Bowl contention, Carroll still guided the team to nine or more wins in eight of the nine seasons following the Super Bowl XLIX heartbreak, a testament to his enduring ability to deliver winning Pete Carroll football.
The news of Carroll’s departure surprised many. Initial reactions leaned towards disappointment, fueled by Carroll’s passionate farewell address, where his deep connection to the program and players was palpable. His emotional moments during the press conference even led some to question the Seahawks’ decision.
Yet, stepping back from the emotional intensity of the farewell, the rationale for change becomes clearer. While Carroll’s culture-building prowess remained evident, the on-field results of Pete Carroll football had plateaued in recent years. Despite consistent coaching adjustments, schematic refinements, and significant investments in player personnel, the Seahawks’ defense, Carroll’s area of expertise, had regressed, becoming one of the league’s least effective units. This defensive decline hindered Seattle’s ability to compete with division rivals like the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. The organization likely concluded that fresh perspectives and new strategies were necessary to propel the team back into contention.
Now, the responsibility falls to General Manager John Schneider to find the next Seahawks head coach. Schneider once noted the NFL’s inherent parity, suggesting the league structure pushes teams towards an 8-8 record. The Seahawks have struggled to break free from this cycle of mediocrity, with recent seasons hovering around .500. Schneider’s primary task now is to overcome this inertia and usher in a new era of Seattle football, distinct from Pete Carroll football.
The Seahawks of today are significantly more advanced than the team Carroll and Schneider inherited in 2010. A complete roster overhaul of 200+ transactions is unlikely in 2024. However, with uncertainty at quarterback and key defensive positions, the Seahawks, in a sense, are returning to a state of “not anything,” echoing Carroll’s own words. It is now up to Schneider and the incoming head coach to forge a new identity and create something special once again, building upon the foundation of Pete Carroll football while charting a new course for future success.
Danny KellyDanny has been covering the NFL since 2011. He cohosts ‘The Ringer Fantasy Football Show’ and ‘The Ringer NFL Draft Show,’ contributes to The Ringer’s Fantasy Football Rankings, and writes scouting reports for The Ringer’s NFL Draft Guide.
