In a somewhat unexpected turn of events, Pete Carroll bid farewell to the Seattle Seahawks as head coach, leaving fans wondering if this is truly the end of the line for the coaching legend in the NFL. “I competed pretty hard to stay put,” Carroll revealed, hinting at a desire to continue coaching in the league.
But does this mean Carroll has more seasons on an NFL sideline ahead of him? The answer remains uncertain. While he may not be actively seeking a coaching return at the moment, Carroll also hasn’t completely ruled out the possibility. “We’ll see what happens,” he stated cryptically. “I’m not waiting on it at all. I’m going ahead and I got other things that I want to do that I’m excited about, and I’m going to see how all that goes.”
With a coaching career spanning 48 years, starting as a defensive backs coach with the Buffalo Bills in 1984, Carroll has left an indelible mark on the teams he’s led. From a brief stint as head coach of the New York Jets in 1994 to a slightly longer tenure with the New England Patriots from 1997-1999, Carroll’s true breakthrough came when he took the reins at USC, revitalizing the struggling program and turning it into a powerhouse once again.
Carroll’s crowning achievement, however, came in 2010 when he became the head coach of the Seahawks. Over the course of 14 seasons, he guided the team to an impressive 10 playoff berths, two conference championships, and the franchise’s first and only Super Bowl victory. It was a remarkable run that solidified Carroll’s legacy as one of the most successful coaches in NFL history.
As Carroll reflects on his illustrious coaching career, he remains at peace with whatever the future may hold. “If it’s been 40-something years, 48 years or whatever coaching and that’s it, I feel okay about that,” he remarked. Only time will tell if Carroll will make a return to the NFL sidelines, but one thing is for certain – his impact on the game will never be forgotten.
