Coverage News Center - Pete Carroll, the most successful coach in the history of the Seattle Seahawks, has stepped down from his position and will serve as a team advisor, the Seahawks announced on Wednesday. Carroll, who led the Seahawks to their only Super Bowl title in 2013, agreed to the move after 14 years as the head coach.
Carroll's legacy with the Seahawks
Carroll, who joined the Seahawks in 2010, transformed the team into a perennial contender in the NFC. He won five division titles, reached the playoffs 10 times, and made two consecutive Super Bowl appearances in 2013 and 2014. He also developed some of the best players in the league, such as Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Bobby Wagner, and Kam Chancellor.
Carroll's Seahawks were known for their aggressive and physical style of play, especially on defense. They led the NFL in scoring defense for four straight seasons from 2012 to 2015, becoming the only team in the Super Bowl era to do so. They also had a dominant home-field advantage at CenturyLink Field, where they won 18 consecutive games from 2012 to 2014.
Carroll's crowning achievement was winning Super Bowl XLVIII in 2013, when the Seahawks crushed the Denver Broncos, who had the highest-scoring offense in NFL history, 43-8. Carroll became the third coach to win both a college national championship and a Super Bowl, joining Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer.
Carroll's downfall with the Seahawks
However, Carroll's tenure with the Seahawks also had its share of disappointments and controversies. The most notable one was his decision to pass the ball on the goal line in the final seconds of Super Bowl XLIX in 2014, instead of handing it off to Lynch. The pass was intercepted by Malcolm Butler of the New England Patriots, who won the game 28-24. The play is widely considered as one of the worst calls in Super Bowl history, and it sparked a rift between Carroll and some of his players, who felt that he did not trust them.
Carroll's Seahawks never returned to the Super Bowl after that, and gradually declined in the following years. They lost some of their star players to injuries, trades, or free agency, and failed to replenish their talent through the draft or free agency. They also faced stiff competition from other teams in the NFC, such as the Los Angeles Rams, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Green Bay Packers.
Carroll's final season with the Seahawks was a disappointing one, as they finished with a 9-8 record and missed the playoffs for the fourth time in his 14 years. They also had the worst defense in the league in terms of yards allowed, and struggled to score points despite having Wilson, one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Carroll's coaching style and philosophy also came under scrutiny, as some critics accused him of being too conservative, stubborn, and outdated.
Carroll's future with the Seahawks
Carroll, who is 72 years old and the oldest active coach in the NFL, will remain with the Seahawks as an advisor, according to the team's statement. His exact role and responsibilities are unclear, but he will likely have some input on the team's decisions and direction. Carroll said that he is grateful for the opportunity to coach the Seahawks, and that he is proud of what he accomplished with the team.
"I want to thank Jody Allen and the entire Seahawks organization for giving me the chance to coach this team for 14 years. It has been an incredible journey, and I am honored to have been a part of it. We have achieved so much together, and I will always cherish the memories and the relationships that we have built. I am excited to continue working with the Seahawks as an advisor, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for this team," Carroll said in a statement.
The Seahawks will now begin their search for a new head coach, who will have the challenge of rebuilding the team and restoring its glory. Some of the potential candidates include Dan Quinn, the former Seahawks defensive coordinator and current Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy, the Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator, and Kellen Moore, the Cowboys offensive coordinator.
The Seahawks will also have to decide on the fate of Wilson, who is entering the final year of his contract and has a no-trade clause. Wilson, who is 33 years old and has been the face of the franchise for a decade, has expressed his frustration with the team's performance and direction, and has hinted at his desire to play elsewhere. The Seahawks will have to weigh the pros and cons of keeping Wilson or trading him for a massive haul of draft picks and players.
The Seahawks are entering a new era, one without Carroll as their head coach. Carroll leaves behind a legacy of success, excitement, and controversy, and he will always be remembered as one of the best coaches in the history of the Seahawks and the NFL.
__________
Source:
Image by The Seattle Times
Post a Comment