Los Angeles (AFP) – Pete Carroll was dumped as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks after 14 seasons on Wednesday, three days after they missed the NFL playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
The 72-year-old American, who coached the Seahawks to their only Super Bowl title 11 years ago, was moved into an advisory role with the club by owner Jody Allen.
“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,” Allen said in a statement.
Carroll, who had been the NFL’s oldest head coach, went 137-89 with one drawn since taking on the job in 2010.He guided the Seahawks to a 43-8 triumph over Denver in Super Bowl 48 at the end of the 2013 season.
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“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 said.
“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’s ouster leaves seven head coaching vacancies in the NFL only three days after the conclusion of the regular season, with other teams seeking a new head coach including Las Vegas, Carolina, Washington, the Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee and Atlanta.
Seattle finished 9-8 for the second consecutive season but lost out on the final NFC wildcard playoff berth to Green Bay on tiebreakers.
The Seahawks have reached the playoffs four times in the past six seasons but have won only one playoff contest since the 2016 campaign.
Carroll was a long-time NFL assistant coach who received his first NFL head coaching job with the New York Jets in 1994 after four seasons as their defensive coordinator.He was fired after a 6-10 campaign.
After two seasons as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator, Carroll spent three seasons as head coach of the New England Patriots before being fired in 1999.He returned to the college ranks from 2001-09 at the University of Southern California before making his NFL return with Seattle.
Behind star quarterback Russell Wilson and the “Legion of Boom” defensive lineup, Carroll directed the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title and back into the championship spectacle the following year, losing to New England in Super Bowl 49.
