The Seattle Seahawks had a quiet Black Monday as other NFL teams made coaching and general management changes. But 48 hours later, they pulled what NFL insider Tom Pelissero called a “bombshell.”
Pete Carroll, the head coach who led the franchise to their only Super Bowl win, is out in Seattle as head coach, per the NFL Network’s league insider Wednesday. Immediately, social media became flooded with posts involving Carroll and looking back at his run with the Seahawks. Seattle also provided its reasonings for the decision.
Seattle Seahawks Chair Jody Allen Issues Statement
Seahawks chair Jody Allen was involved in the decision to reassign Carroll to a role outside of head coaching. She revealed that Carroll will hold a new role on the ‘Hawks.
“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,” Allen wrote.
“Pete is the winningest head 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 the community.”
Allen added why Carroll will remain with the organization despite losing his head coaching duties.
“His expertise in leadership and building a championship culture will continue as an integral part of our organization moving forward,” Allen said. “Pete will always be a beloved member of the Seahawks family.”
‘What a Run’ Among Notable Social Reactions for Pete Carroll
Carroll leaves his head coaching post with 170 career wins at three stops: New York Jets, New England Patriots, and of course the Seahawks.
However, his most success was in the Pacific Northwest. Along with snatching the 2013 season Super Bowl, Carroll leaves his HC spot with 137 career wins with the Seahawks, the most in franchise history.
MORE: NFL Black Monday Tracker 2024
Fans and analysts took to social media to share their praise toward Carroll’s 14-year run in the Pacific Northwest. ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates was among those reacting to Seattle’s decision.
“What a run for Pete Carroll in Seattle. He lives by the mantra of ‘always compete’ and it was reflected in his teams,” Yates posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Yates added that Carroll was always masterful in two areas: scouting and competing.
“I don’t believe Seattle’s run of finding gems late in the draft was an accident: it was terrific scouting and a culture where it didn’t matter how you got there, but what you did when you arrived that mattered most under Pete. When many thought the organization was set for a nose dive after the Russell Wilson trade, they instead made a playoff run. Huge respect to him,” Yates shared.
One other ESPN personality, though, received a check-in from a fan: Mina Kimes, who’s a notable Seahawks fan.
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) January 10, 2024
One more Seahawks fan, former 247Sports publisher Ryland Spencer, was very appreciative of the Carroll era. Spencer was in New York when the franchise delivered their most iconic moment.
“Pete Carroll did so many great things in Seattle and we should all be incredibly thankful. I will never forget this day, and he is the reason it all happened. Thank you for everything!” Spencer posted.
Pete Carroll did so many great things in Seattle and we should all be incredibly thankful.
I will never forget this day, and he is the reason it all happened.
Thank you for everything! pic.twitter.com/cWBcDe7YMU
— Ryland Spencer™ (@RylandSpencer) January 10, 2024
One more noted Seahawks fan, Fox Sports 1 radio personality Colin Cowherd, was another who reacted to the move.
“I think Pete is a great coach. Great energy and great detail,” Cowherd said.
However, he pointed out a noticeable flaw that surfaced for Carroll.
“Why is the offensive line, under Pete, for a decade there been an issue?” Cowherd said. “Secondly, the defense wasn’t good. It got bad. Seattle doesn’t have a lot of holes. But I think they underachieved. Sean McVay, in a rebuilding year, beat him twice. Seattle has a better roster than the Rams.”
Cowherd also blamed a lack of urgency on Carroll’s end in developing a quarterback post-Russell Wilson, even despite the success of Geno Smith. Seattle, however, hasn’t won the past nine games post-Wilson.
Pete Carroll is out at Seahawks head coach…@ColinCowherd reacts now pic.twitter.com/VDG0o5h9Jm
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) January 10, 2024
Still, some believe Carroll delivered a Hall of Fame run. NFL Network personality Rich Eisen feels that way.
“What a run. Hall of Fame type run,” Eisen said. “Everything about him, with his ‘always compete’ mantra, exactly what his team’s personified from the Legion of Boom to Russ, all the way to his last teams there.”
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