His comments at the end of the 2023 season make his demotion much more surprising.
Pete Carroll’s end-of-season comments on his future with the Seattle Seahawks are resurfacing after news broke out that the veteran coach will be taking on a different role within the organization.
On Wednesday, the Seahawks released a statement announcing that Carroll will return in 2024, not as head coach, but as an advisor to the team.
"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.”
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Carroll’s position change comes two days after he adamantly told a Seattle radio station that he plans to continue coaching the Seahawks for the 2024 season and beyond.
Carroll said on KIRO's Seattle Sports on Monday, “I plan to be coaching this team. I told you I love these guys. That's what I would like to be doing and see how far we can go. I'm not worn out. I'm not tired. I'm not any of that stuff. 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, and there's a lot of area for improvement.”
A day prior, Carroll fielded questions about his immediate future with the franchise. Following the season-finale win over the Arizona Cardinals, Carroll was asked if he expected the Seahawks to retain him for a 15th straight season.
“I do,” Carroll told reporters. “At this point, I do.”
Carroll, who turns 73 in September, led the Seahawks to a 9–8 record but failed to earn a playoff berth. Under Carroll, the Seahawks haven’t won a playoff game since 2019.
That being said, during his 14-year tenure in Seattle, Carroll became the winningest coach in franchise history, helping the Seahawks achieve nine postseason appearances and their first-ever Super Bowl victory in 2013.
Now, all eyes will be on owner Jody Allen and general manager John Schneider to see how they navigate the post-Pete Carroll era and what exactly Carroll’s new advisory role pertains.
