The Seattle Seahawks have entered a new era as they part ways with their long-time head coach, Pete Carroll. After 14 seasons of gum-chewing, sideline energy, and significant success, Carroll’s departure marks a turning point for the franchise. While the Seahawks organization has transitioned Carroll into an advisory role, the burning question on everyone’s mind, particularly in the NFL and college football communities, is: Will Pete Carroll Coach Again?
Carroll’s exit coincided with a seismic shift in the coaching landscape, with Nick Saban’s retirement from Alabama and Bill Belichick’s departure from the New England Patriots occurring within the same 24-hour period. Carroll himself expressed surprise at this unprecedented series of events during his final Pete Carroll Show on Seattle Sports, stating, “It’s really unique and surprising. I can’t imagine how that happened. I really can’t. I thought they were joking with me when they said Nick retired on that day. And then I saw Bill was (doing a press conference) with (Patriots owner) Robert Kraft … Pretty amazing.”
Despite moving into an advisory position, Carroll has explicitly stated he will not be involved in the search for his successor as Seahawks head coach. “This is totally on John. I’m not gonna be the centerpiece at all,” he clarified, emphasizing General Manager John Schneider’s autonomy in the selection process. Carroll’s supportive stance towards Schneider highlights their long-standing professional relationship and mutual respect.
However, the question of Carroll’s own coaching future remains open. In earlier statements, Carroll had expressed his desire to continue as the Seahawks head coach. When directly asked if he envisions himself coaching again, Carroll offered a nuanced response: “I don’t know. I’ve got plenty of energy for it and thought and willingness, but I can’t imagine that there’s a place, the right one. I don’t know. I’m open to everything but I’m not holding my breath on that. There’s a lot of world out there and I’m excited about challenging and going after it. If that happens, that happens. We’ll see. I really don’t know what to tell you about that yet.”
This statement reveals a few key insights into Carroll’s mindset. Firstly, at 72 years old, he clearly still possesses the passion and drive to coach. His mention of “plenty of energy” and “willingness” underscores his continued enthusiasm for the profession. Secondly, his caveat of finding “the right place” suggests that he wouldn’t simply take any coaching job. After his successful tenure in Seattle and prior college success at USC, Carroll likely seeks a situation that aligns with his high standards and ambitions.
College Football or NFL Return for Pete Carroll?
The speculation naturally turns to where “the right place” might be for a coach of Carroll’s caliber. While he mentioned jokingly about coaching girls flag football when co-host Brock Huard suggested he’d be a good commissioner for college football, the reality is that both college and NFL opportunities could be on the table.
Huard, a former UW Huskies quarterback, offered an interesting perspective on Carroll potentially coaching at the University of Washington. With Alabama unexpectedly losing Nick Saban to retirement, the college football coaching carousel spun rapidly, leading to Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer being hired by Alabama. This created a high-profile opening at UW, a program Carroll is familiar with, given his long tenure in Seattle.
Huard believes Carroll could be a transformative figure for the Huskies program. “He’d be an unbelievable fundraiser, he’d be an unbelievable igniter,” Huard stated on Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy. Beyond fundraising and energizing a program, Huard also pointed to the potential appeal for Carroll to coach alongside his sons. Nate Carroll, a Seahawks offensive assistant, is now potentially seeking a new role, and Brennan Carroll is the offensive coordinator at the University of Arizona. UW could provide an opportunity for Pete Carroll to create a family coaching dynamic, offering his sons significant roles in a prominent program.
However, Huard also acknowledged a shift in his own thinking regarding Carroll’s immediate future. While initially believing Carroll’s energy and passion at his farewell press conference indicated a quick return to coaching, Huard now suggests Carroll might take some time to assess his options. “Maybe the realization that, ‘Geez, I don’t know if I’m ever going to find something like I just had in Seattle. And if anything, I better take some time to not just jump right into that next gig,’” Huard speculated.
Pete Carroll’s Legacy and Future Prospects
Pete Carroll’s legacy in Seattle is undeniable. He brought the Seahawks their first Super Bowl victory and consistently kept the team competitive for over a decade. His coaching philosophy, emphasizing player development, positive team culture, and relentless enthusiasm, has left a lasting mark on the franchise.
Whether Carroll chooses to coach again in the NFL or college football, or even explores opportunities outside of traditional coaching roles, remains to be seen. His comments suggest an openness to new challenges and a desire to remain active and engaged. The football world will be watching closely to see if and where Pete Carroll’s coaching journey continues. For now, as he transitions into an advisory role with the Seahawks, the question “will Pete Carroll coach again?” remains a captivating open question.
Further Reading on Pete Carroll’s Seahawks Departure:
- Pete Carroll details final meetings with Seahawks ownership
- Seahawks’ Bobby Wagner reflects on playing for Pete Carroll
- Pete Carroll shares story of reunion with Russell Wilson and Hawks legends
- Former Seahawks, others in sports world react to Pete Carroll news
- Carroll explains why he’s no longer Seahawks coach, what’s next
