Pete Carroll facts for kids
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Carroll with the Seattle Seahawks in 2021
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| Las Vegas Raiders | |
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| Position: | Head coach |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | September 15, 1951 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Redwood (Larkspur, California) |
| College: |
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| Career history | |
| As coach: | |
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| As executive: | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Head coaching record | |
| Regular season: | 170–120–1 (.586) |
| Postseason: | 11–11 (.500) |
| Career: | NCAA: 97–19 (.836) NFL: 181–131–1 (.580) |
| Coaching stats at PFR | |
Peter Clay Carroll (born September 15, 1951) is a famous American football coach. He is currently the head coach for the Las Vegas Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). Before this, he was a senior advisor for the Seattle Seahawks.
Carroll was also the head football coach at the University of Southern California (USC) from 2001 to 2009. He then led the Seahawks from 2010 to 2023. He is one of only three head coaches to win both a college football national championship and a Super Bowl. The other two are Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer.
His early NFL coaching jobs with the New York Jets (1994) and New England Patriots (1997–1999) had limited success. But when he moved to college football at USC, he turned the team into a top contender. He won seven conference championships and an AP National Championship.
Carroll's success in college led him back to the NFL in 2010 with the Seattle Seahawks. Under his leadership, the Seahawks made the playoffs ten times in 14 seasons. They won their division five times and played in two Super Bowls in a row. In Super Bowl XLVIII, they won the team's first-ever championship. His team's defense, known as the "Legion of Boom", was the best in the league for four years. After the 2023 season, Carroll stepped down as head coach to become an advisor for the Seahawks.
Contents
Pete Carroll's Early Life and Education
Pete Carroll was born on September 15, 1951, in San Francisco, California. He grew up in Greenbrae, California. He went to Redwood High School in Larkspur, California.
In high school, he was a great athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball. He played quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive back in football. In 1969, he was named the school's Athlete of the Year.
Pete Carroll's Football Journey
After high school, Carroll went to College of Marin, a junior college. He played football there for two years. Then, he transferred to the University of the Pacific. He played free safety for the Tigers for two years. He earned honors as an All-Pacific Coast Athletic Association player. In 1973, he earned his degree in Business Administration.
After college, Carroll tried out for a professional football team but didn't make it. This was due to shoulder problems and his small size.
Starting as a College Assistant Coach
Carroll's positive attitude impressed his college coach, Chester Caddas. Caddas offered him a job as a graduate assistant at Pacific. Carroll took the job and earned a Master's degree in physical education. He worked with wide receivers and defensive backs.
Later, he became a graduate assistant at the University of Arkansas in 1977. He worked with the secondary defense. He then moved to Iowa State University in 1978, coaching the secondary again. When his coach, Earle Bruce, moved to Ohio State University, Carroll joined him. He continued to coach the secondary.
In 1980, Carroll became the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at North Carolina State University. In 1983, he returned to Pacific as an assistant head coach.
Coaching in the National Football League
In 1984, Carroll joined the NFL as a coach. He started as the defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills. The next year, he moved to the Minnesota Vikings, coaching defensive backs for five seasons.
In 1994, Carroll became the Head Coach of the New York Jets. He was known for his energy. The Jets started 6–5, but then lost all their remaining games. He was fired after just one season.
After that, he worked as a defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers for two seasons. His success there led him to become the head coach of the New England Patriots in 1997. His Patriots team won their division in 1997. However, his teams in 1998 and 1999 did not do as well. He was fired after the 1999 season. His total NFL record as a head coach was 33 wins and 31 losses.
Pete Carroll's Time at USC
On December 15, 2000, Pete Carroll was named the head coach of the USC Trojans. Many people were unsure about this choice. Carroll had not coached in college since 1983 and his NFL head coaching record was not great.
USC's Rise to Power
Carroll's first USC team started with a 2–5 record. But after that slow start, his teams went on an amazing run. They won 67 out of their next 74 games. They won two national championships and played for another.
Carroll was known as one of the best recruiters in college football. He brought in many top-ranked players. He was also one of the first college coaches to use social media like Facebook and Twitter to connect with potential players.
His team had a school record of 34 straight wins from 2003 to 2005. This streak ended in the national championship game against the Texas Longhorns. During his time, USC also broke its home attendance record four times. They had a 35-game winning streak at their home stadium, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Carroll often said he was happy at USC and wasn't looking to return to the NFL. However, on January 11, 2010, it was announced that Carroll would leave USC. He signed a 5-year, $33 million contract to become the new head coach of the Seattle Seahawks.
USC Achievements Under Carroll
Under Pete Carroll, USC football became very successful again. Here are some of their achievements:
- Two appearances in the BCS Championship Game (winning in 2005).
- Two Associated Press National Championships (2003 and 2004).
- Seven years in a row finishing in the Top 4 of the Associated Press poll.
- A national record of 33 straight weeks as the No. 1-ranked team.
- An impressive winning record of 97 wins and 19 losses (83.6%).
- A great record against rivals Notre Dame and UCLA (14 wins, 2 losses).
- An NCAA record of 63 straight games scoring 20 points or more.
- 25 players named All-Americans.
- 53 players chosen in the NFL Draft, with 14 in the first round.
- Three Heisman Trophy winners: Carson Palmer (2002), Matt Leinart (2004), and Reggie Bush (2005).
- Four Top-5 recruiting classes.
- A 34-game winning streak (2003–04).
In 2007, ESPN.com called USC the #1 team of the decade (1996-2006) because of Carroll's impact.
Pete Carroll's Time with the Seattle Seahawks
After the Seattle Seahawks fired their coach in 2009, Pete Carroll was hired as their new head coach on January 11, 2010. He also became the executive vice president of football operations, meaning he had the final say in football decisions.
Early Years and First Playoff Wins
In his first season (2010), Carroll changed almost the entire Seahawks team. They started 4–2 and ended up winning their division with a 7–9 record. They became the first 7–9 team in NFL history to win a division title. The Seahawks then surprised everyone by beating the defending Super Bowl Champions New Orleans Saints in the playoffs.
In 2011, the Seahawks had another 7–9 record and missed the playoffs. But in 2012, with rookie quarterback Russell Wilson, Carroll led the team to an 11–5 record. They were undefeated at home. They won their first playoff game against the Washington Redskins but lost the next week to the Atlanta Falcons.
Super Bowl XLVIII Victory
The 2013 season was amazing for the Seahawks. They started strong and finished with a 13–3 record, tying for the best in team history. They were the top team in their conference. In the playoffs, they beat the New Orleans Saints. Then, in the NFC Championship Game, a famous play known as "The Tip" helped them beat the San Francisco 49ers.
On February 2, 2014, Carroll led the Seattle Seahawks to their first-ever Super Bowl win! They defeated the Denver Broncos, 43–8, in Super Bowl XLVIII. Carroll became one of only three coaches to win both a college national championship and a Super Bowl.
Second Super Bowl Appearance and Later Seasons
In the 2014 season, the Seahawks aimed to win another Super Bowl. They started 6–4 but then won their last six games to finish 12–4. They reached their second straight NFC Championship. In a thrilling game, they came back from a big deficit to beat the Green Bay Packers in overtime. This sent them to Super Bowl XLIX.
However, on February 1, 2015, Carroll's Seahawks lost Super Bowl XLIX to his former team, the New England Patriots, 28–24. A controversial play call at the end of the game, where a pass was intercepted near the goal line, led to their loss.
The Seahawks continued to be a strong team under Carroll. They made the playoffs in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020. In 2016, Carroll earned his 100th regular-season win as an NFL coach. In 2018, he became the Seahawks' all-time wins leader.
Final Years with the Seahawks
In 2021, the Seahawks had a losing season, their first since 2011. In the 2022 offseason, quarterback Russell Wilson was traded. Carroll then led the team to a 9–8 record and a playoff appearance, but they lost in the first round. In 2023, the Seahawks again finished 9–8 but missed the playoffs.
On January 10, 2024, Carroll and the Seahawks decided that he would step down as head coach. He then moved into an advisor role for the team.
Pete Carroll's Coaching Style
Carroll is known for his energetic and positive personality. He often says, "I always think something good's just about to happen."
Offensive and Defensive Strategies
On offense, Carroll likes to be aggressive. He is open to using trick plays and often chooses to "go for it" on fourth down instead of punting. This aggressive style even earned him the nickname "Big Balls Pete" from the USC band and fans.
On defense, Carroll uses a "bend-but-don't-break" strategy. This means he tries to prevent big plays by the opposing team. He allows them to gain small amounts of yardage but keeps plays in front of his defenders.
Coaching Philosophy
Carroll's coaching ideas come from a book called The Inner Game of Tennis. He learned that athletes need to clear their minds and focus to play their best. He also gets ideas from psychologists and Zen masters.
After being fired by the Patriots, Carroll read a book by famous basketball coach John Wooden. This inspired him to build his future programs around his own philosophy: "I'm a competitor." He wanted his teams to be unique in how they competed.
Carroll is known for making practices fun. He plans surprises and pranks to keep the mood light. He even gets involved in drills himself, running and throwing the ball. He also made almost all USC practices open to the public. He believed this helped his team prepare for game day crowds.
Helping Others
After moving to Los Angeles, Carroll was concerned about violence in poorer areas. In 2003, he helped start A Better LA. This charity works to reduce violence in specific urban areas of Los Angeles.
In 2009, Carroll launched CampPete.com, an online game for kids. It teaches his "Win Forever" philosophy through games and motivational messages. Part of the money from the website goes to support A Better LA.
Personal Life
Pete Carroll is married to Glena. They have three children: Brennan, Jaime, and Nate. Both Brennan and Nate have worked as coaches for the Seattle Seahawks.
Head Coaching Record
NFL
| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| NYJ | 1994 | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 5th of AFC East | — | — | — | — |
| NYJ total | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 0 | 0 | .000 | |||
| NE | 1997 | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 1st in AFC East | 1 | 1 | .500 | Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Divisional Game |
| NE | 1998 | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 4th in AFC East | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to Jacksonville Jaguars in AFC Wild Card Game |
| NE | 1999 | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 4th in AFC East | — | — | — | — |
| NE total | 27 | 21 | 0 | .563 | 1 | 2 | .333 | |||
| SEA | 2010 | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 1st in NFC West | 1 | 1 | .500 | Lost to Chicago Bears in NFC Divisional Game |
| SEA | 2011 | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3rd in NFC West | — | — | — | — |
| SEA | 2012 | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 2nd in NFC West | 1 | 1 | .500 | Lost to Atlanta Falcons in NFC Divisional Game |
| SEA | 2013 | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 1st in NFC West | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | Super Bowl XLVIII champions |
| SEA | 2014 | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 1st in NFC West | 2 | 1 | .667 | Lost to New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX |
| SEA | 2015 | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 2nd in NFC West | 1 | 1 | .500 | Lost to Carolina Panthers in NFC Divisional Game |
| SEA | 2016 | 10 | 5 | 1 | .656 | 1st in NFC West | 1 | 1 | .500 | Lost to Atlanta Falcons in NFC Divisional Game |
| SEA | 2017 | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 2nd in NFC West | — | — | — | — |
| SEA | 2018 | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 2nd in NFC West | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to Dallas Cowboys in NFC Wild Card Game |
| SEA | 2019 | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 2nd in NFC West | 1 | 1 | .500 | Lost to Green Bay Packers in NFC Divisional Game |
| SEA | 2020 | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 1st in NFC West | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to Los Angeles Rams in NFC Wild Card Game |
| SEA | 2021 | 7 | 10 | 0 | .412 | 4th in NFC West | — | — | — | — |
| SEA | 2022 | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 | 2nd in NFC West | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to San Francisco 49ers in NFC Wild Card Game |
| SEA | 2023 | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 | 3rd in NFC West | — | — | — | — |
| SEA total | 137 | 89 | 1 | .606 | 10 | 9 | .526 | |||
| Total | 170 | 120 | 1 | .586 | 11 | 11 | .500 | |||
College
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | Coaches# | AP° | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC Trojans (Pacific-10 Conference) (2001–2009) | |||||||||
| 2001 | USC | 6–6 | 5–3 | 5th | L Las Vegas | ||||
| 2002 | USC | 11–2 | 7–1 | T–1st | W Orange† | 4 | 4 | ||
| 2003 | USC | 12–1 | 7–1 | 1st | W Rose† | 2 | 1 | ||
| 2004 | USC | 11–0 | 7–0 | 1st | V Orange† | 1 | 1 | ||
| 2005 | USC | 0–0 | 0–0 | 1st | L Rose† | 2 | 2 | ||
| 2006 | USC | 11–2 | 7–2 | T–1st | W Rose† | 4 | 4 | ||
| 2007 | USC | 11–2 | 7–2 | T–1st | W Rose† | 2 | 3 | ||
| 2008 | USC | 12–1 | 8–1 | 1st | W Rose† | 2 | 3 | ||
| 2009 | USC | 9–4 | 5–4 | T–5th | W Emerald | 20 | 22 | ||
| USC: | 97–19(.836) | 63–14(.818) | |||||||
| Total: | 97–19 | ||||||||
| National championship Conference title Conference division title or championship game berth | |||||||||
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Coaching Tree
Pete Carroll has worked under ten head coaches during his career:
- Chester Caddas: University of the Pacific (1973–1976)
- Lou Holtz: Arkansas Razorbacks (1977)
- Earle Bruce: Iowa State Cyclones (1978), Ohio State Buckeyes (1979)
- Monte Kiffin: NC State Wolfpack (1980–1982)
- Bob Cope: University of the Pacific (1983)
- Kay Stephenson: Buffalo Bills (1984)
- Bud Grant: Minnesota Vikings (1985)
- Jerry Burns: Minnesota Vikings (1986–1989)
- Bruce Coslet: New York Jets (1990–1993)
- George Seifert: San Francisco 49ers (1995–1996)
Seventeen of Carroll's assistant coaches later became head coaches in the NFL or NCAA:
- Walt Harris, Pitt (1997–2004); Stanford (2005–2006)
- Nick Holt, Idaho (2004–2005)
- Ed Orgeron, Ole Miss (2005–2007); LSU (2017–2021)
- Greg Robinson, Syracuse (2005–2008)
- Lane Kiffin, Oakland Raiders (2007–2008); Tennessee (2009); USC (2010–2013); Florida Atlantic (2017–2019); Ole Miss (2020–present)
- Sparky Woods, VMI (2008–2012)
- Bo Pelini, Nebraska (2008–2014); Youngstown State (2015–2019)
- Steve Sarkisian, Washington (2009–2013); USC (2014–2015); Texas (2021–present)
- DeWayne Walker, New Mexico State (2009–2012)
- Norm Chow, Hawaii (2012–2015)
- Larry Kennan, Incarnate Word (2012–2017)
- Gus Bradley, Jacksonville Jaguars (2013–2016)
- Dan Quinn, Atlanta Falcons (2015–2020), Washington Commanders (2024–present)
- Jedd Fisch, Arizona (2021–2023), Washington (2024–present)
- Robert Saleh, New York Jets (2021–2024)
- Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers (2024–present)
- Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys (2025–present)
Seven of Carroll's executives became general managers in the NFL:
- Charley Armey, St. Louis Rams (2000–2005)
- John Idzik Jr., New York Jets (2013–2014)
- Jason Licht, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2014–present)
- Scot McCloughan, Washington Redskins (2015–2016)
- Chris Grier, Miami Dolphins (2016–present)
- Scott Fitterer, Carolina Panthers (2021–2023)
- Dan Morgan, Carolina Panthers (2024–present)
One of Carroll's former players became NFL or NCAA head coaches:
- Aaron Glenn, New York Jets (2025-present)
Awards and Honors
2003
- American Football Coaches Association Division I-A Coach of the Year
- Home Depot National Coach of the Year
- Maxwell Club College Coach of the Year
- ESPN.com National Coach of the Year
- Pac-10 Co-Coach of the Year
2004
- National Quarterback Club College Coach of the Year
- ESPN.com Pac-10 Coach of the Year
2005
- Pac-10 Co-Coach of the Year
- United States Sports Academy Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award
2006
- Pac-10 Coach of the Year
2014
- PFWA's Jack Horrigan Award
- ESPY Award for Best Coach (Nominated)
Images for kids
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Pete Carroll with Ugo Amadi during a game in 2020.
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