Is Pete Carroll going to be sacked as Seahawks HC after 14 seasons? Exploring the possibility

The last few days in the NFL circuit could be headlined by “hiring and firing.” The Washington Commanders fired their head coach Ron Rivera, the Atlanta Falcons fired their head coach Arthur Smith, and yesterday, the Chicago Bears sacked multiple front office staff, including offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.

The Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus, luckily survived the critical phase by retaining his right to get back to his position in 2024. Multiple other coaches are still on their way to have meetings with owners. The NFL world might see some other coaches losing their jobs in the upcoming days. As of now, the Seattle Seahawks have made the critical decision of bidding adieu to their HC Pete Carroll, albeit in a unique way.

Is Pete Carroll going to be fired as Seahawks HC?

After an impressive 14-year tenure with the Seahawks, Pete Carroll is stepping away from his role as head coach. Amid speculation about his potential firing, team owner Jody Allen clarified that his departure is not a termination but rather an evolution of his role within the organization.

“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”, she wrote.

Allen expressed confidence in Carroll’s ability to continue influencing the organization positively. The former HC will retain a pivotal role as an advisor. He is expected to leverage his expertise in leadership and championship culture-building.

“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. His expertise in leadership and building a championship culture will continue as an integral part of our organization moving forward. Pete will always be a beloved member of the Seahawks family.”

Carroll, who also served as the executive vice president of football operations, leaves a void in the top football decision-making role. At 72, he hands over the coaching reins to a new era, making Bill Belichick (71) the oldest head coach in the NFL. Notably, Belichick has also been in the departure rumor lately, and his firing may be on the way.

While Pete Carroll’s departure wasn’t framed as a firing, the team must find a replacement. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn emerges as a likely candidate to step into his shoes.

Seahawks performances under Pete Carroll’s leadership

Under Pete Carroll’s astute leadership, the Seahawks boasted an impressive 137-89 record over his more than one-decade tenure. From 2012 to 2020, the franchise showcased dominance by clinching victories in 68 percent of their games and securing the second-best record across the league during that period.

The pinnacle of the team’s success came in the mid-2010s, highlighted by the formidable Legion of Boom on defense along with the dynamic duo of Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch on offense. This combination alongside Carroll’s coaching prowess resulted in the Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos, where they secured their first and only championship under his guidance.

The Seahawks returned to the grand stage the following season but fell short in a thrilling Super Bowl showdown against the New England Patriots by losing 28-24. They secured playoff berths in 10 of his 14 years at the helm. Even in the 2023 season, they narrowly missed the postseason with a 9-8 record.

Carroll’s overall regular-season record in the NFL stands at an impressive 170-120-1. This includes his earlier years with the New England Patriots and a brief stint as the head coach of the New York Jets in 1994.