Pete Carroll is out as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks after 14 years and a Super Bowl title, and will transition to an advisory role with the organization.
Carroll’s tenure as head coach ends with a record of 137-89-1 and 10 postseason appearances. He went 10-9 overall in the postseason.
“It’s been an honor and a thrill to be a part of this program,” Carroll said Wednesday. “I’ve loved every minute of it.”
Seahawks owner Jody Allen said the move was “amicable” and was made “for the best interest of the franchise,” and that Carroll’s role “will evolve from head coach to remain with the organization as an advisor.”
Carroll said Wednesday he intends to be with the team in a capacity that is still being shaped, including helping in a search for his successor.
Reports indicated Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who held the same post with the Seahawks under Carroll before becoming head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, is one name atop Carroll and general manager John Schneider’s list of candidates.
Allen’s statement lauded Carroll.
“Pete is the winningest 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 in the community,” Allen’s statement read. “His expertise in leadership and building a championship culture will continue as an integral part of our organization moving forward.”
Carroll, 72, is 170-120-1 overall in 18 years as head coach of the New York Jets (1994), New England Patriots (1997-99) and Seahawks.
“It’s really always been about the fun,” he said.
He had dismissed retirement rumors 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 Seahawks beat the Arizona Cardinals 21-20 on Sunday to finish the season 9-8. They lost out on a playoff berth to the Green Bay Packers, who held the tiebreaker over Seattle.
The Seahawks have missed the playoffs only four times in his tenure, including two of the past three seasons, but won Super Bowl XLVIII 43-8 over the Denver Broncos following the 2013 season.
They followed that campaign with an NFC conference title but lost Super Bowl XLIX 28-24 to the New England Patriots.
Quinn was defensive coordinator under Carroll for the back-to-back Super Bowl appearances.
–Field Level Media
