Former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson called former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll “one of the greatest ever” in a reaction to the news that this last season was his final one with the Seahawks.
One of the Greatest Ever.
“Keep Shooting” Coach.
Grateful for the memories. @PeteCarrollBest is Ahead. https://t.co/ct3W4IYIyf
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) January 10, 2024
It was announced Wednesday that Carroll would not be the head coach of the team, but could remain with them in some capacity. In an article from the NFL, Seahawks owner Jody Allen made a statement on the matter.
“After thoughtful meetings and careful consideration for the best interest of the franchise, we have amicably agreed with Pete Carroll that his role will evolve from Head Coach to remain with the organization as an advisor,” owner Jody Allen said in a statement on Wednesday. “Pete is the winningest coach in Seahawks history, brought the city its first Super Bowl title, and created a tremendous impact over the past 14 years on the field and in the community.
“His expertise in leadership and building a championship culture will continue as an integral part of our organization moving forward.
“Pete will always be a beloved member of the Seahawks family.”
Carroll was the coach of the Seahawks for 14 seasons, and Wilson was there from 2012-2021. Wilson has struggled since parting ways with Carroll before the 2022 season.
The two were instrumental to the Seahawks Super Bowl run in the 2013-2014 season. The Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos 43-8 behind Wilson’s two touchdowns on 206 yards passing.
Pete Carroll was one of the most consistent coaches in the NFL during his stint with the Seattle Seahawks
In Carroll’s 14 seasons as the head coach for the Seattle Seahawks, he only had a losing season in three of them. Two of those seasons were the first two seasons he spent as the head coach, and they were without Russell Wilson.
Carroll missed the playoffs just four times as the coach of the Seahawks. One of those times was this year when the Seahawks went 9-8, and won the game necessary to get in if the Green Bay Packers had lost.
Carroll went to two straight Super Bowls with Wilson as his quarterback. After beating Denver in the 2013-2014 season, the Seahawks were just a yard away from repeating in the 2014-2015 season against the New England Patriots.
Malcolm Butler turns 30 today 🎂
His game-sealing INT vs. the Seahawks may go down as one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history.
(via @nflthrowback) pic.twitter.com/BNT0hoLyec
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 2, 2020
Pete Carroll became the head coach for the Seahawks on the Heels of a scandal at USC
Before Carroll joined the Seahawks for the 2010 season he was a coach for the USC Trojans. Before that, he coached the New York Jets and the New England Patriots.
Carroll won two national championships with the Trojans, and fell just short of a third after a loss to the Texas Longhorns in what is considered to be one of the greatest college football games of all time.
#PlayOfTheDay (2006): Vince Young scores the touchdown to beat USC in the Rose Bowl and win the 2005 National Title. pic.twitter.com/1lzzReLhF2
— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) November 27, 2020
After Carroll left USC, they were hit with a litany of sanctions from the NCAA for a “lack of institutional control” that allowed players like running back Reggie Bush to receive “improper gifts and benefits from agents.”
Those sanctions included a two year bowl-game ban, the forfeit of an entire season, four years probation and the removal of 30 scholarships. Despite all of these sanctions coming down on USC, Carroll escaped to the NFL and faced no repercussions.
In an article from Jacksonville.com, Carroll said that he was not aware of the things that were going on, as was the university.
“The primary issue throughout the process was, did the university know? The university didn’t know. We didn’t know. We’re not aware of any of these findings,” Carroll said.
Carroll’s role in the scandal was unclear, but is often forgotten. His legacy as the coach of the Seattle Seahawks is what will be remembered by fans and players alike.
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