Pete Carroll had two NFL head coaching stints before taking the job with the Seattle Seahawks.
He mentored the New York Jets during the 1994 season but finished with a 6-10 mark.
Three years later, he was the New England Patriots’ primary mentor and lasted there until 1999.
During his stint with the Patriots, he had modest success but nothing remotely close to what Bill Belichick accomplished.
Carroll coached the University of Southern California Trojans in between his New England and Seattle gigs.
Pete Carroll on whether he'd take the #USC head coaching opening: "They haven't called. No, I don't want that. I'm very happy." #Seahawks
— Aaron Levine (@AaronQ13Fox) September 13, 2021
He won two back-to-back national titles in 2003 and 2004 with the Trojans.
Their success led to a boom of USC players that went to the NFL.
Some of the more prominent offensive players that played under Carroll in Los Angeles are Matt Leinart, Matt Cassel, Ryan Kalil, Tyron Smith, Carson Palmer, and Reggie Bush.
Meanwhile, the defense produced Lofa Tatupu, Brian Cushing, Jurrell Casey, Everson Griffen, Clay Matthews, and Troy Polamalu.
His achievements at USC convinced the Seahawks that Carroll was the best replacement for Jim Mora, who got fired after one season.
RT to wish @PeteCarroll a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/UBiQiOqHQ0
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 15, 2021
At 70 years old, Carroll continues to guide a perennial contender in Seattle.
They’ve started the 2021 NFL season on a positive note after defeating the Indianapolis Colts.
But as their current season progress, here’s a trip down memory lane to the seasons that exemplified his greatness as head coach.
Unsurprisingly, these years were during his tenure as the Seahawks’ head coach and Executive Vice President of Football Operations.
3. 2012 – When Icing The Kicker Failed
The Seahawks held a one-point lead, 28-27, against the Atlanta Falcons during their Divisional round encounter.
However, Matt Ryan drove his team to give kicker Matt Bryant a comfortable field goal distance.
Carroll called timeout as the Falcons long snapper released the ball, and Bryant attempted to kick.
Seattle got its timeout but would live to regret the decision because Bryant missed the 49-yard kick.
Matt Bryant's game winner against Seattle in the 2012 NFC Divisional Playoffs pic.twitter.com/vNqPpLbRSN
— DBN Fanatics (@DBN_Fanatics) March 5, 2016
Bryant did not waste his second opportunity to give Atlanta a two-point lead and the victory, 30-28.
The Seahawks still had a successful year despite the botched decision.
They finished second in the NFC West with an 11-5 record and defeated the then-Washington Redskins in the Wild Card round, 24-14.
2. 2014 – Almost But Not Quite
This season is memorable to Seahawks fans for the wrong reason.
Russell Wilson opened up old wounds in a comical manner when he mentioned, “I want a ring that Tom Brady has. I need to go get it.”
The statement occurred during the Monday Night Football coverage with Eli and Peyton Manning.
This season is what Wilson was referencing.
Seattle needed to cover a few yards to score a touchdown and possibly win Super Bowl XLIX against the Patriots.
Carroll could have called a run play for Marshawn Lynch to get six points.
However, they chose to make a pass to Ricardo Lockette, but Malcolm Butler intercepted.
Five years ago today, rookie Malcolm Butler sealed the Patriots' fourth Super Bowl with this incredible goal-line interception 🤯
(via @nflthrowback)pic.twitter.com/BNT0hoLyec
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 1, 2020
That defensive play preserved the lead and gave Brady his fourth Super Bowl win.
To this day, the Seahawks faithful still cringe every time they see that play.
But it’s easy to forget that the team went 12-4 in the regular season and got a first-round bye.
Carroll guided the team to victories over the Carolina Panthers and the Green Bay Packers to claim a Super Bowl berth.
1. 2013 – Champions At Last
The Legion of Boom got their validation when they dominated Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Seattle ended the game by halftime and won the franchise’s first Super Bowl in a 43-8 rout.
No. 18: 2013 @Seahawks, @SuperBowl XLVIII Champions #Seahawks
📺: #NFL100 Greatest Teams on @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/ig2eZofHM8
— NFL (@NFL) November 16, 2019
The Seahawks got another Wild Card bye after winning their division with a 13-3 record.
They then faced the New Orleans Saints in the Divisional round and the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship before lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy against the Broncos.
Malcolm Smith took home Super Bowl MVP honors in a one-sided affair with the third-largest margin of victory in the game’s history.
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