Big changes are coming to the Seahawks. On Wednesday, the team announced that Pete Carroll will no longer be the head coach, but will instead stay with the organization as an adviser. The announcement from Seahawks Chair Jody Allen said the decision was mutual.
Carroll has already cemented his legacy in Seahawks lore. The team hired him in 2010 as the franchise’s eighth head coach fresh from his long run at USC’s college football program (he also had NFL stints with the New York Jets and New England Patriots). Carroll brought a lively energy to the CenturyLink-now-Lumen Field sidelines, becoming known for his constant pacing, enthusiasm, and gum-chewing.
More than anything, though, Carroll won — a lot. He tallied 137 victories as head coach, the most in the franchise’s 48-year-old history. Carroll’s squads had 10 playoff wins, but most will remember Seattle’s first-ever Super Bowl victory in 2014. The Seahawks also went to the Super Bowl the next year (which, yeah, didn’t end as great).
Despite that track record, the ‘Hawks have missed the playoffs in two of the past three seasons, falling short this year after a strong start. Carroll was also the NFL’s oldest coach at 72 years old in an era where younger head coaches have appeared on teams in greater frequency.
The search will now commence for Carroll’s replacement. Early reports indicate that Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn may be a name you’ll be hearing more about soon as a possibility.
As for Carroll, he gave a press conference Wednesday afternoon discussing the decision and expressing gratitude for his time with the Seahawks. “It’s been an honor and a thrill,” he said. “I’ve loved every minute of it.
