Why Pete Carroll Stands Out as One of the NFL’s Most Exceptional Coaches

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 18: Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll celebrates after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles at Lumen Field on December 18, 2023, in Seattle, Washington. Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll celebrates after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles. In the realm of NFL coaching, legacies are often measured in a flurry of statistics: Super Bowl victories, win-loss records, postseason appearances, and winning seasons. Yet, Pete Carroll’s tenure as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, encapsulated by his Super Bowl XLVIII win, 10 postseason berths, and a 137-89-1 regular season record, transcends these metrics. The 72-year-old leaves behind a legacy marked by his empathetic leadership style and infectious personality.

Last week, the Seahawks announced Carroll’s departure from the sidelines for the upcoming season, revealing his new role as an advisor to the team.

Carroll regards the culture he cultivated in Seattle as his most significant accomplishment, emphasizing his commitment to “helping people find their best, one person at a time” and fostering an environment akin to family. His departure from the Seahawks makes him the franchise’s winningest coach, securing its first Super Bowl title and making a substantial impact both on the field and in the community, as noted by Seahawks chair Jody Allen.

Beyond the traditional NFL coaching model, Carroll stands as one of three coaches, alongside Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer, to achieve both a Super Bowl win and a college national championship. His leadership philosophy has transcended sports, influencing figures like Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and forming collaborations with professionals in various fields.

Carroll’s engagement with the community is a central tenet of his coaching philosophy. Initiatives such as Amplify Voices, established in 2020 to amplify stories from underrepresented communities, and nonprofit organizations ‘A Better LA’ and ‘A Better Seattle,’ aimed at reducing gang violence, showcase his commitment to social impact.

The unconventional portrait of an NFL coach is completed by visuals of Carroll’s energetic presence, whether running through the locker room, delivering spirited post-game speeches, or playfully mimicking players during meetings.

“[The culture] works. It’s real,” Carroll emphasized. “You can feel it. I’m really grateful for that. So we learned something here. It was a total experiment.”

‘We have an extraordinary culture’ Carroll’s coaching journey started at the New York Jets and New England Patriots, but it was at the University of Southern California (USC) that he developed his unique coaching philosophy. During his nine-year tenure, Carroll guided USC to two NCAA national championships and secured seven bowl victories.

“At USC, we killed it,” Carroll recalled. “And we came up here, and overall, we’ve been successful for a long time. I didn’t think in any way this would happen like this. I didn’t have that vision. But I’m grateful for it because what we have here is we have an extraordinary culture. I’m really proud of that.”

Under Carroll’s guidance, the Seahawks made two consecutive Super Bowl appearances. Winning Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos and reaching the final moments in the subsequent year against the New England Patriots, Carroll’s success was rooted in what he termed a “relationship-based” culture.

“We’re a very open, communicative group, and that’s where the relationships are so important,” he explained. “I don’t need to be friends with them. I just need them to be willing to express themselves and really to be willing to expose themselves for who they are, so that’s an ongoing conversation there.”

While not universally embraced by players, especially established NFL stars, Carroll’s methods garnered support and admiration from numerous former players upon his exit.

“I’ve had the privilege of being around a lot of incredible coaches in my lifetime. The best ones knew that they were more than just a coach. They knew that they were role models and a significant influence in the lives of the young people they had the honor of coaching,” expressed former wide receiver Doug Baldwin Jr. on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Pete Carroll was one of those coaches for me.”

Russell Wilson labeled Carroll “one of the greatest ever,” and Julian Love posted on X, “Bummed to only get a year playing for Coach but forever grateful because it was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. A true legend. Thank you Pete!”