Seattle's long-serving coach, who took them to their only Super Bowl triumph in 2013, will move in to an advisory role after the team missed out on the NFL playoffs; Seahawks chair Jody Allen says decision was made "for the best interest of the franchise"
Thursday 11 January 2024 06:54, UK
The Seattle Seahawks have announced the shock exit of Pete Carroll as head coach after 14 years in charge.
The 72-year-old had held the position since 2010 but the Seahawks announced in a statement on Wednesday that the two parties "amicably agreed" that his "role will evolve from head coach to remain with the organisation as an advisor".
Carroll took the franchise to their only Super Bowl triumph in the 2013 season.
The move into an advisory role comes after the team missed out on the NFL playoffs.
In a statement, Seahawks chair Jody Allen praised Carroll's achievements and added: "His expertise will continue in leadership and building a championship culture will continue as an integral part of our organisation moving forward.
"Pete will always be a beloved member of the Seahawks family."
In what proved an emotional farewell news conference on Wednesday, Carroll made clear he had fought to stay on as coach into next season.
"I competed pretty hard to be the coach, just so you know," he said.
"I just wanted to make sure I stood up for all of our coaches and the players and the things that we had accomplished. Not just so we could be the coach still, but so we could continue to have a chance to be successful and keep the organisation going. That's what I was fighting for."
Speaking in front of staff, assistant coaches and some current players, Carroll spoke for more than 30 minutes through a mix of tears and laughter about his record-breaking tenure.
"I'm thrilled that we've had this run. I really am," he added.
"This level of consistency that we've demonstrated is such that it makes you proud,"
In addition to Seattle's historic Super Bowl triumph, achieved in his fourth season in charge, Carroll won two NFC championships and had a winning record in 11 of his 14 campaigns.
His record of 137 wins and .606 win percentage are both highest in Seahawks franchise history.
Seattle closed the regular season with a 21-20 win at Arizona on Sunday. The Seahawks entered the final two weeks of the regular season with the chance at reaching the playoffs for the 11th time with Carroll in charge, but a Week 17 loss to Pittsburgh left Seattle in need of help elsewhere, which it did not get to close out the season.
His tenure ends with a record of 137-89-1 and 10 postseason appearances. He went 10-9 overall in the postseason.
Carroll 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 rumours on 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 question will immediately turn to Carroll's replacement and whether Seattle tries to stay within the Seahawks family tree or looks to bring in a fresh voice to work with general manager John Schneider.
"It will be the first time since arriving at the same time as Carroll that Schneider will have complete control over personnel.
Seattle is the seventh NFL team at the moment looking for a new coach, joining Tennessee, Atlanta and Washington who have fired coaches since the regular season ended.
The Raiders, the Chargers and Panthers did not wait for the season to end before firing coaches.
