Jan 7, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll looks on prior to facing the against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Reports: Raiders to name Pete Carroll head coach

The Las Vegas Raiders are naming Pete Carroll as their next head coach, multiple media outlets reported Friday.

Per ESPN, Carroll agreed to a three-year deal with a fourth-year team option. NFL Network reported that other potential candidates have been informed by the Raiders that Carroll is the team’s new head coach.

By joining the AFC West, Carroll will resume a long rivalry with Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. The latter previously coached the San Francisco 49ers while Carroll was manning the sideline with the Seattle Seahawks.

Carroll, 73, won a Super Bowl during his 14-year tenure with Seattle and has the most wins of any Seahawks coach (137). He also set the record for most playoff appearances (10) and wins (10) in franchise history. Carroll served as an adviser in 2024 after he and team officials agreed the time was right for a coaching change following the 2023 campaign.

Carroll also guided the New York Jets (1994) and New England Patriots (1997-99) and has a 170-120-1 record as an NFL head coach.

He excelled in the college ranks, winning two national championships at Southern California during his nine-year tenure and finishing with a 97-19 record. Carroll is one of only three coaches to win both a Super Bowl and a college national championship.

The Raiders fired head coach Antonio Pierce on Jan. 7, two days after concluding a 4-13 season.

Pierce, 46, went 9-17 over 1 1/2 seasons as coach. He first became the head coach on an interim basis after the midseason firing of Josh McDaniels in 2023.

Carroll joins a group of championship-winning coaches in the AFC West.

Harbaugh won a national title at Michigan. Andy Reid has led the Kansas City Chiefs to three Super Bowl wins and is bidding for a fourth this season. Sean Payton, the head coach in Denver, won the Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints following the 2009 season.

–Field Level Media

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll looks toward the scoreboard during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Jan. 7, 2024.

Report: Bears to interview Pete Carroll; Mike McCarthy request denied

The Chicago Bears were denied an interview with Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy for their head coaching vacancy but will sit down with longtime NFL coach Pete Carroll on Thursday, according to pair of ESPN reports on Tuesday.

Carroll, 73, won a Super Bowl during his 14-year tenure with Seattle and has the most wins of any Seahawks coach (137). He also set the record for most playoff appearances (10) and wins (10) in franchise history. Carroll served as an adviser this season after stepping down following the 2023 campaign.

Carroll also guided the New York Jets (1994) and New England Patriots (1997-99) and has a 170-120-1 record as an NFL head coach.

He excelled in the college ranks, winning two national championships at Southern California during his nine-year tenure and finishing with a 97-19 record. Carroll is one of only three coaches to win both a Super Bowl and a college national championship.

As for McCarthy, his deal expires Wednesday with the Cowboys having exclusive negotiating rights through Jan. 14.

McCarthy, 61, completed his fifth season at the helm with Dallas missing the playoffs at 7-10. He is 49-35 in the regular season and 1-3 in the postseason.

McCarthy — who will meet with owner Jerry Jones this week — has said he wants to remain with Dallas after missing the playoffs for the first time since his first season in 2020.

The Bears have made formal requests to interview a number of current NFL assistants.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll looks on in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

Report: Pete Carroll interested in Bears’ opening

After a season off, former NFL coach Pete Carroll wants to return to work and is interested in the Chicago Bears’ head coach opening, ESPN reported Wednesday.

Carroll, 73, led the Seahawks to back-to-back Super Bowls following the 2013 and 2014 seasons, winning the first one. In all, he spent 14 seasons in Seattle before being fired in January following two consecutive 9-8 seasons.

The Bears dismissed head coach Matt Eberflus, hired in 2022, following a 4-8 start and a 14-32 overall record.

The New York Jets and New Orleans Saints also fired their coaches this season.

But it’s the Bears’ job and the opportunity to work with 2024’s top overall draft pick, quarterback Caleb Williams, that apparently has captured the attention of Carroll, who compiled a 170-120-1 record with the New York Jets (1994), New England Patriots (1997-99) and Seahawks.

ESPN reported Carroll has yet to talk to the Bears or any team about a return to coaching.

Carroll also coached Southern California (2001-09) to nine bowl games and to national championships in 2003 and 2004. He joins Jim Harbaugh, Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer as the only head coaches to lead teams to the NCAA title game and the Super Bowl.

–Field Level Media

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll looks toward the scoreboard during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Jan. 7, 2024.

Former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll taking on teaching at USC

Former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll is headed back to Southern California.

But not for the reason you might think.

Carroll told Sports Radio 93.3 KJR-FM on Tuesday that he’ll be teaching a class at USC, where he coached the football team from 2001-09 before heading to Seattle. The class will run during the spring semester, but Carroll didn’t dive into any other details.

“I’m looking forward to that,” Carroll said. “It’s going to be a really exciting endeavor when it’s finalized and all that.”

When asked if he ever wanted to coach again, Carroll said he could, but he also made it clear that he has been content with life off the football field.

“I could coach tomorrow. I’m physically in the best shape I’ve been in a long time,” Carroll said. “But I don’t really — I’m not desiring it. … We’ll see what happens. I’m not really waiting on it at all. I’m going ahead. I got other things that I want to do that I’m excited about, and we’ll see how all that goes.”

Carroll led the Seahawks for 14 seasons (2010-23), coaching them to a title at the end of the 2013 campaign. Seattle went 137-89-1 under Carroll, making the playoffs 10 times.

But since Carroll stepped down from his post with the Seahawks in January, he hasn’t had much contact with the team and new coach Mike Macdonald.

“I haven’t talked to those guys at all,” Carroll said of the new Seattle coaching staff. “I ran into Mike in the parking lot one day, and it was a great chance to just, the two of us alone, to meet, say hey and kind of get greeted, and on we go.

“I have not had much to do with them in any way, and really I’m just watching the games a little bit when I see them on TV. I’m not paying that much attention to it because it just feels like it’s the right thing to do to let them go.”

Carroll is only one of three coaches to lead teams to a Super Bowl victory and a college national championship, as the Trojans went all the way in 2003 and 2004 under his watch.

–Field Level Media

Oct 2, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll with GM John Schneider pre game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Seahawks’ coaching search ‘wide open’; hire will report to GM

John Schneider’s partnership with Pete Carroll resulted in one Lombardi Trophy and another Super Bowl appearance. Now, Schneider said he must “look forward” as he helps lead the Seattle Seahawks’ search for a new head coach.

Schneider met with reporters Tuesday for the first time since the Seahawks announced Carroll would not remain their head coach after 14 seasons.

Carroll, 72, will assume an advisory role within the organization instead.

“Pretty emotional press conference the other day,” Schneider said. “When I say your emotions are all over the place, it’s moving on from a very, very historic partnership and amazing, amazing level of success and achievement that Pete and myself are extremely proud of.

“I look forward to being able to call Pete and text him. He’s already texting me like crazy all the time like, ‘Hey Johnny, what’s going on with this and that?’”

It marks Schneider’s first search for a head coach. He and Carroll joined Seattle in the same offseason in 2010. Schneider joked that he was prepared to lead that head-coaching search but found out the franchise had already decided on Carroll.

Carroll reported directly to owner Jody Allen, who has controlled the team since her brother Paul Allen passed away in 2018. But now, the structure will change and the eventual hire and his staff will report to Schneider.

“Our setup earlier was … the coaching staff did not fall under my umbrella, and now it will,” Schneider said. “It’s not necessarily a Jody Allen decision or choosing this person or that person, it’s just a contractual situation.”

Schneider said the team has not decided whether to consider candidates from the college ranks. Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh — Carroll’s old rival in both the Pac-12 and the NFC West — is testing the NFL waters again, having interviewed with the Los Angeles Chargers.

“It’s wide open still,” Schneider said. “There’s so much movement in college football already.”

The Seahawks have requested interviews with at least eight candidates, per multiple reports:

–Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero
–Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham
–Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson
–New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka
–Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris
–Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn
–Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik
–Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith

Schneider said Jody Allen has been “concise” in describing what she wants the Seahawks’ next head coach to bring.

“We want to keep our positive culture, everything that’s been created here … ” Schneider said.

“There’s so many special people in this building. It’s amazing to be on the phone with all these agents and the people that are interested in this position and to be able to explain to them, ‘Hey, there’s a foundation here that’s incredible.’”

–Field Level Media

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll looks toward the scoreboard during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Jan. 7, 2024.

Pete Carroll out as Seahawks head coach

Pete Carroll is out as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks after 14 years and a Super Bowl title, and will transition to an advisory role with the organization.

Carroll’s tenure as head coach ends with a record of 137-89-1 and 10 postseason appearances. He went 10-9 overall in the postseason.

Seahawks owner Jody Allen issued a statement Wednesday, saying the move was “amicable” and was made “for the best interest of the franchise,” and that Carroll’s role “will evolve from head coach to remain with the organization as an advisor.”

Allen’s statement lauded Carroll.

“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,” Allen’s statement read. “His expertise in leadership and building a championship culture will continue as an integral part of our organization moving forward.”

Carroll, 72, is 170-120-1 overall in 18 years as head coach of the New York Jets (1994), New England Patriots (1997-99) and Seahawks.

He had dismissed retirement rumors Monday.

“I’m not worn out. I’m not tired. I’m not any of that stuff,” said Carroll, who was the NFL’s oldest head coach. “I need to do a better job and I need to help my coaches more and we need to do a better job of coaching.”

The Seahawks beat the Arizona Cardinals 21-20 on Sunday to finish the season 9-8. They lost out on a playoff berth to the Green Bay Packers, who held the tiebreaker over Seattle.

The Seahawks have missed the playoffs only four times in his tenure, including two of the past three seasons, but won Super Bowl XLVIII 43-8 over the Denver Broncos following the 2013 season.

They followed that campaign with an NFC conference title but lost Super Bowl XLIX 28-24 to the New England Patriots.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll talks with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the first half of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll dismisses retirement rumors

Rumors swirled before the Seattle Seahawks’ season-ending win on Sunday that longtime head coach Pete Carroll was considering retirement.

On his regular Monday appearance on Seattle Sports 710, Carroll put those rumors to rest.

“I’m not worn out. I’m not tired. I’m not any of that stuff,” said Carroll, who at 72 is the NFL’s oldest head coach. “I need to do a better job and I need to help my coaches more and we need to do a better job of coaching.”

The Seahawks beat the Arizona Cardinals 21-20 on Sunday to finish the season 9-8. They lost out on a playoff berth to the Green Bay Packers, who held the tiebreaker over Seattle.

Team owner Jody Allen has given no indication that she doesn’t plan to retain Carroll.

Carroll has been Seattle’s head coach since 2010 and has compiled a 137-89-1 record there. The Seahawks have missed the playoffs only four times in his tenure, including two of the past three seasons, but won Super Bowl XLVIII 43-8 over the Denver Broncos following the 2013 season.

They followed that campaign with an NFC conference title but lost Super Bowl XLIX 28-24 to the New England Patriots.

Carroll also coached the New York Jets (1994) and Patriots (1997-99) and was a combined 33-31.

–Field Level Media

Jun 7, 2022; Renton, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks strong safety Jamal Adams (33) talks about past finger injuries during a press conference following a minicamp practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Seahawks coach: S Jamal Adams out for Week 1 vs. Rams

Seahawks safety Jamal Adams has been ruled out for the team’s season opener against the visiting Los Angeles Rams, coach Pete Carroll announced Friday on 93.3 KJR in Seattle.

Adams, 27, is recovering from a quad injury sustained during Week 1 of last season. He will not be ready to join his teammates on the field for the game with the Rams on Sept. 10, Carroll said.

“It’s gonna be after the start of the season; we’re not gonna push him,” Carroll said of Adams, who was named a first-team All-Pro in 2019.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Adams has recorded 446 tackles, 21.5 sacks, four interceptions and seven forced fumbles in 71 career games with the New York Jets (2017-19) and Seahawks.

–Field Level Media

Aug 26, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll (right) congratulates quarterback Geno Smith (7) as he comes off  the field in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

GM, coach laud Geno Smith’s self belief behind career year

With a new three-year, $105 million contract in tow, Geno Smith was celebrated as the quarterback of the present for the Seattle Seahawks.

In a press conference at team headquarters Thursday, Smith was showered with appreciation from the Seahawks for his commitment to the franchise and belief in himself. Smith stepped into a starting role, which was never truly contested by Drew Lock, after the Seahawks traded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos last March.

The 32-year-old Smith delivered while making $3.5 million last season, guiding the Seahawks to a wildcard playoff spot, earning a Pro Bowl nod and now cashing in with a contract that could pay him 30 times his 2022 rate.

“There were a lot of years when Geno just had to sit there, waiting,” head coach Pete Carroll said, seated to Smith’s right and opposite general manager John Schneider at a press conference Thursday afternoon. “The story that has been unveiled about believing in yourself and confidence and trust and never giving up is just a vivid illustration of Geno. He always knew. He always knew he could do this. When it happened, the opportunity was there, and you handled it so flawlessly.”

Carroll said Smith approached the Seahawks about a team-friendly deal that ties more than $30 million to incentives and performance bonuses. Carroll said he wasn’t surprised to hear Smith say his concern was leaving the team room to build a championship team around him.

“I believe in team first,” Smith said Thursday.

Smith was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2022. He was a backup for seven seasons with four different teams and all but discounted as a serious option to be Seattle’s starter for even one season. He set franchise single-season records for passing yards (4,282), completions (399), completion percentage (69.8) and pass attempts (572), breaking three previous Wilson records.

“I know you know this, but what an inspiration you’ve been to men, women, young, old, all around the country,” Schneider said. “Lessons about faith, perseverance, work ethic. Being a good person, man. Watching you last year was awesome, and I know you’re super-excited about the future. So thank you to you.”

Last week, Schneider said at the NFL Scouting Combine the Seahawks are digging deep into the quarterbacks in the 2023 draft, and Carroll called the No. 5 pick — part of the return from the trade return from the Broncos for Wilson — a “rare opportunity.”

Schneider, raised in the Green Bay scouting department where quarterback insurance was a top priority, nodded and smiled when asked if Seattle could keep Smith and spend a high pick on a quarterback in the 2023 draft.

“They don’t grow on trees,” he said.

–Field Level Media

Jan 14, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) makes a throw in the second quarter of a wild card game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Seahawks, QB Geno Smith agree to 3-year, $105M deal

The Seattle Seahawks are bringing back quarterback Geno Smith on a three-year contract worth $105 million, several outlets reported Monday.

The 32-year-old was set to hit unrestricted free agency after the first Pro Bowl season of his nine-year NFL career. Instead, he will remain in Seattle and average $35 million per year. The deal will include $52 million in the first year, ESPN reported.

Smith was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year after taking charge of the Seahawks’ offense in the first year following the Russell Wilson era and guiding them to a wild-card playoff berth.

After serving as Wilson’s backup from 2019-21, Smith beat out Drew Lock for the job in the preseason and proceeded to start all 17 games, his first year as a full-time starter since his first two NFL campaigns with the New York Jets.

The veteran led the NFL in completion percentage at 69.8 percent and passed for career highs of 4,282 yards and 30 touchdowns along with 11 interceptions. He added 366 rushing yards and one score.

The Seahawks were clear about wanting to re-sign Smith, but Seattle coach Pete Carroll also said during the scouting combine in Indianapolis that the Seahawks are “totally connected” to the quarterbacks in the 2023 draft class. The team has the fifth pick in the draft and five selections in the top 83.

Carroll said keeping Smith and drafting a quarterback is a “definite” possibility.

In 10 NFL seasons with the Jets (2013-16), New York Giants (2017), Los Angeles Chargers (2018) and Seahawks, Smith has thrown for 11,199 yards, 64 touchdowns and 48 interceptions with a 62.8 completion percentage. He has added 1,067 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns.

–Field Level Media