Sam Farmer and Gary Klein are reporting that USC head coach Pete Carroll is close to a deal, which is believed to be a five-year contract to become president and head coach at $7 million a year.
The report goes on to emphasize that nothing has been signed, according to sources close to the situation who are not authorized to speak on his behalf.
According to the report, Carroll has not returned numerous phone calls and texts this morning seeking comment.
“Pete’s name comes out at this time every year,” Tim Tessalone, USC sports information director told The Times. “In the past, he hasn’t commented on such reports. He was not expected in today. I’ve put a message out to him, but haven’t heard back yet. At this point, we have nothing to report. Perhaps check with the Seahawks.”
As my father just said, “This is nuts.”
How can they be close if they still have to interview a minority candidate?
And by the way, how insulting is the Rooney Rule?
I understand its purpose, but teams simply skirt around it to get whoever they want anyway.
If I were a minority candidate, I would demand a hefty sum for a token interview.
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Eric – this is great you are right on this with constant updates.
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Didn’t we just fire our coach this morning? This seems awfully fast and such an impulsive hire. I sure hope I’m eating my words in five years, but I think this is stupid.
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I think the team may be making a bigger mistake than if they’d kept Mora.
–Danielle
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i believe they get around the rooney rule with the FO (preznit) offer. He’s not just the coach.
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To give such an unproven commodity so much power is definitely stepping out on the limb a bit.
On one hand, I love the fact that the Seahawks are willing to take a chance.
On the other, I hate the fact that they don’t really understand the game of NFL football.
And, if all of this is true, which is hard to believe at this point, what was the purpose of the “search firm?”
I mean, regardless, the list of candidates they supposedly floated needed no search firm to compile. Clearly, picking up Carroll needed no search firm.
With Tod’s connection to Tim Leiweke, and this Lopes connection, this once again reeks of nepotism on the part of the Seahawks FO.
It’s hard to understand anything going on in Renton these days, but one thing is clear, the Seahawks don’t value tried and tested strategies when it comes to creating a winning football team.
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I am not afraid of this move like everyone else. It’s pretty obvious they’ve probably been chasing this for at least a little while, and just now decided to fire Moran. Let’s give him his chance. There’s NO way it can be worse than what Mora fielded. NO way. Don’t let your hatred of USC come into this, you 12th folk. Don’t let it happen.
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I just saw Carroll’s NFL record and it wasn’t as bad as I thought. He went 6-10 his first season with the Jets, and then went 10-6, 9-7, and 8-8 with the Patriots. Its not great but it could be worse. Maybe he learned some things at USC and is approaching the NFL job differently.
Seahawk fans can only hope. From what I have read and what I have seen on TV this thing seems to have a lot of momentum. I wouldn’t be suprised if something is announced within the next 48 hours.
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Even I know this is crazy. The man was unsuccessful in the NFL on two teams and then drove a virtually invincible college program downward in a system that gives every recruiting advantage to the strong teams because it has no mechanism for parity. This must be a tactical diversion for someone we want more.
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@ $7 mil per year we should be able to expect a Super Bowl in Pete’s first year!
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From Mortensen:
“Carroll previously has said he’s learned at USC that running his own operation is paramount to success and it would be a priority for him to set up his own football operation if a desirable NFL position ever became available. Carroll did not have that authority as coach of both the New York Jets and New England Patriots in the 1990s.”
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According to J.A. Adande it’s a “done done done deal.”
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“The man was unsuccessful in the NFL on two teams and then drove a virtually invincible college program downward in a system that gives every recruiting advantage to the strong teams because it has no mechanism for parity.”
The first part of what you say is arguable – the second part is pretty much the opposite of accurate. Take a look at USC’s record for the five years before Carroll got there, and compare it to the time he was there.
I do get people’s apprehension about the coaching determination coming before the GM role is filled – but this is an exciting development for our team. We’re not the only team that has tried to get this guy over the past few years, but it’s looking like we’re the one that’s going to get him. And, it will definitely keep things interesting, which is not to be underestimated following 4-12, and 5-11, seasons.
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Tod was in SoCal earlier this week.
This is definitely going down, folks.
And, honestly, I think it’s going to be a good thing.
For one, it instantly puts Seattle back on the NFL map, and that’s a very good thing.
Pete Carroll has an incredible amount of cache on a national level, he’s an outstanding recruiter and has a great eye for talent. He has untold connections in the college game as well and will probably put together one hell of a draft.
I’m actually quickly getting on board.
Lofa will be happy too, and maybe Pete can get the old Lawrence Jackson to emerge.
Best of all, NO MORE KNAPP!!!!
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Please slow down just a bit. Carroll was one and done several years ago, I believe, and I am not very excited with a College coach comming to the NFL!!
Why would we get the coach before the GM anyways!!!! TL may have already made up his mind, as he let Holmgren go east with out much explanations, but I sure hope he cools his jets and tales a very hard look at who comes in as GM and HC, They must be on the same page or we could be in for several Years of coaching carousel crap!!!
By opinion is I would like to see a new name, a new up and commer, coaching under a very very experienced GM and personel Man. I would also like a brilliant DC!!!! Oh crap i gotta say this is making me very nervous!!!!
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Seems like the USC AD is sick of cleaning up Carroll’s mess:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/usc/la-sp-simers23-2009dec23,0,721029.column
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Who would of ever thought that 2 years ago when USC was making thier run to the Rose Bowl that their 3 main coaches at the time( Carroll,Sark and Holt) would all one day be coaching in Seattle.
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Jeremy Bates will be the next offensive coordinator.
Bates has been courted by Chicago.
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“Why would we get the coach before the GM anyways!”
Carroll will be the general manager
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I’m sorry, he’ll be the prez of football ops and have authority over the new gm
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KTLA is reporting it’s a done deal.
http://twitter.com/ktlanewsdesk
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The other factor is that the “Dictator of football” (i.e. head coach and GM/Pres.) hasn’t been a very successful model in the NFL. Belichick is probably the only real example (maybe Andy Reid as well in Philly, though Reid doesn’t try to create the cult of personality Belichick does.)
I’d almost be happier if it were Carroll as GM/Pres. Maybe that’s just because more of an unknown. But I will grant that Carroll has an eye for talent (just like Dennis Erickson did), he’s got experience running a very successful USC “franchise” and thus he might be able to build a strong NFL team. I’m just afraid he can’t coach one.
Was the only reason Carroll failed in the NFL earlier, due to the fact he wasn’t “shopping for the groceries?”
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“For one, it instantly puts Seattle back on the NFL map, and that’s a very good thing.
Pete Carroll has an incredible amount of cache on a national level, he’s an outstanding recruiter and has a great eye for talent. He has untold connections in the college game as well and will probably put together one hell of a draft.”
I agree. Some posters here are talking like any monkey could go coach USC to national prominence and titles, and that’s just, unreasonably, not giving Carroll any credit.
He’s got WAY more stature than Mora ever had – not even in the same league. Every player on the Hawks knows the success he’s had at USC. I’m applauding this as a big move by our front office and owner. Now, let’s get him some players . . .
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“The other factor is that the “Dictator of football” (i.e. head coach and GM/Pres.) hasn’t been a very successful model in the NFL. Belichick is probably the only real example (maybe Andy Reid as well in Philly, though Reid doesn’t try to create the cult of personality Belichick does”
Not putting Carroll in their class, but Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells would be two other examples.
Let’s see the details on the deal – I’m still hoping they bring in a GM w/some authority as well.
And, as Bobby A and others have mentioned, very happy with the thought that this will also bring a new OC to the team.
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Players predicted to be on Seahawks roster in 2010:
Mike Vick
Brandon Marshall
Pac Man Jones (call me Adam)
Tank Johnson
Dez White
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Terrell Owens is also a free agent. Anyone else?
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Aren’t Rae Carruth and Lawrence Phillips getting out soon?
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Hey BobbyK, you forgot Charles Rogers and Plax
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Schefter is calling it “a total makeover” of the football operations.
As a dude close to USC (in proximity, go dawgs), USC was a total mess before Pete Carroll showed up.
pdway is absolutely correct that it was Carroll, not USC itself, that built the winner during his tenure.
If you look at what Sarkisian’s been able to do with the Huskies, you have to be enthused over the Carroll hiring.
If nothing else, this is a complete overhaul of everything in Seattle, and all the sweeping changes that we’ve known for months needed to be made, will be made.
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BobbyK- Matt Jones is gearing up for his comeback.
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“Terrell Owens is also a free agent. Anyone else? ”
It’s curious to me that this is your only thought on the hiring. You’re not even a little excited at the prospect of his coaching ability, to groom the next QB, or ability to get free agents, etc.? I don’t see that his USC players have gone on to predominantly be troublemakers in the NFL – but maybe i’m not thinking of them – feel free to correct me on it.
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HarbachHawk – LOL. I guess I did. Maybe Buffalo will trade one of our choir boys for Richie Incognito.
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BobbyK,
I don’t understand what you’re trying to say. That Pete Carroll is incapable of bringing in quality talent?
What’s the point of the list of criminals?
I get the sarcasm, but, it’s also a little ironic, considering we’ve done nothing but bash Ruskell’s goodie-goodie crew for the past 12 months.
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BobbyA – I live in LA as well, and maybe it’s all PR bulls–t, but contrary to the image BobbyK and some others have of Carroll, there are frequent stories in the papers down here about Carroll’s off-the-field work in the community that, at least on their face, don’t seem to be bogus. And, at least in this stint with USC, he gives off the complete vibe of a winner, in the same way Jimmy Johnson always did.
We’ll see – but I’m excited about all this.
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You’ve been bashing Ruskell’s goodies… I have admired and respected Ruskell in that aspect. Granted, that’s the only aspect… Hell, as long as Carroll can bring me a Super Bowl… then I guess I’m a sell out too… we all are… I want a Super Bowl and if the Happy Camper can bring it to me, I’ll be eternally gratefully to him… we all will…
Is Ken Hamlin available for Deon Grant? We’re about to find out.
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I’m with you pdway.
Carroll is a great football coach, and he has done incredible things in South LA in terms of getting in the community and helping out. South LA is probably the roughest set of neighborhoods in the country, and he has made it a point to do whatever he can to help out.
Any sort of image slandering is done with untold intent.
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I posted this December 20th after the embarasment of the Tampa Bay loss. I think Leslie Frasier would be a great coach and so do several other teams. i.e. Buffalo, St Louis last year.
1.KelsoHawk says:
December 20, 2009 at 8:39 pm
A new General Manager should hire his own guy. Mora, Knapp and DeHaven have shown that they are not good coaches. Most like Bradley’s energy, yet look at the defense as a whole or should I say “hole”. Start fresh with a whole new coaching staff and philosophy. I think we need a hard nose, in your face coach that will demand toughness, not hope that it will come around in week fifeteen like Mora suggests. Cowher and Gruden would demand that respect. Assistant Head coach/ Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frasier at Minnesota is going to be in demand also. I have never been so ashamed to be a Hawk fan as I am today.
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Im just stoked that Mora is gone!
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Sorry, I meant to say (regarding the “dictator” comment) that I don’t know of any other successful models currently. Many of them in recent years have flopped (Holmgren originally, Shanahan in recent years, Parcells moved upstairs.)
Almost all of the “new” successful franchises (last 5 years) seem to be traditional GM/HC “separation of powers” models. Is that right? Am I missing some recently successful czar NFL teams?
Is the dictator still a viable option in the current NFL, in other words?
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“considering we’ve done nothing but bash Ruskell’s goodie-goodie crew for the past 12 months. ”
WE’VE
don’t misquote me if you’re going to bash me.
You’ve got an unfair bias against Carroll, and maybe that’s because USC is now what Nebraska used to be, but the Huskers were the ones that gave Laurence Phillips a shot.
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Oops, my bad Bobby, misread your post.
Sorry for the misquote inference.
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What counts in football is SCOREBOARD. 97-19 at USC with 2 national championships ( 1 co-national champ) and 7 Pac 10 titles.
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pdway – I hope to heck you’re right. I don’t like USC. I don’t hate them. I’m indifferent. If it were Oklahoma, Texas, Miami, or Florida State… then, yes… because I hate those programs so badly… but USC, LSU, Auburn, Georgia, Penn State… I don’t care one way or another… I have nothing against them, nor do I go out of my way to root for them…
Just look at the record of incidents of players he’s brought in though… it’s safe to say there are more “incidents” than you get with most other high profile programs… You can do all the charity work you want, but at the end of the day, that doesn’t diminish the fact that more of your players get into trouble than in comparison to other high profile programs… I know kids make the choices, but Carroll needs to take a bit of “accountability” for some of the things that have happened at his program…
And, yes, I hope he can take over the stagnant Seahawks just the way he took over the stagnant USC program. I will be happy if he can, but for now, excuse me if I’m less than thrilled. Could be worse…
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This makes me nervous, but at least we know the seahawks aren’t going to be the same old boring seahawks that they’ve been for a while
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“Carroll is a great football coach, and he has done incredible things in South LA in terms of getting in the community and helping out. South LA is probably the roughest set of neighborhoods in the country, and he has made it a point to do whatever he can to help out.”
Yeah, I’m not sure where the association w/criminal (or troublemaker) players is coming from. I can’t think of a single Lawrence Phillips/Rae Carruth type example from his program. But hey, if people want to come up with reasons not to like this move, there’s really no way to prevent that.
I’m with you on the sentiment that this a hiring of national prominence, and combined with his reputation as a player’s guy, and a guy working for an owner who isn’t afraid to open his wallett – that all this is only going to help us in getting free agents this off-season. Along those lines – think of our chances to get a FA now, as opposed to two days ago, with Jim Mora.
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bellechick used to be a bad nfl coach too. look what he’s doing now..
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Yes, BobbyA, Lawrence Phillips is and was a pile of dung. Don’t get me wrong, I loved winning that National Championship in ’94… but it would have been more fun if that pile of crap wasn’t on the team… Hey, I’ll root for Brandon Marshall if he’s a Seahawk, but it’s not the same as rooting for a Steve Largent. Better to win all than not win it all though. And if the ‘Hawks have to give up on some of the character stuff… so it goes…
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” I know kids make the choices, but Carroll needs to take a bit of “accountability” for some of the things that have happened at his program…”
I hear you – but I do draw a distinction between driving a booster’s car, and beating up your girlfriend (or worse). Meaning, to me, there’s a difference between an NCAA violation, and a criminal act. Look, the results speak for themselves, not only in terms of USC’s wins, but look around the league, at Carson Palmer, Troy Polamalu, and now Cushing, Maleuga, Sanchez …tons of team leader types that all came out of his program.
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pdway – here you go… I don’t think everything is Carroll’s fault, but some of it has to be… and this list doesn’t include anything from the last couple of years… and lord knows there has been more…
2001 – Pete Carroll hired by USC.
2003 – USC OT Winston Justice plead no contest to solicitation of a prostitute.
2004 – USC OT Winston Justice was arrested on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon – plead no contest.
2004 – USC RB Hershel Dennis investigated for an alleged sexual assault. Suspended for “breaking team rules”.
2005 – USC CB Eric Wright was arrested for investigation of sexual assault.
2005 – USC CB Eric Wright suspended three semesters after police found 136 Ecstasy pills in his apartment
2005 – USC TE Dominique Bird gets a broken jaw in a fight with WR Steve Smith
2005 – USC DE Frostee Rucker investigated for spousal battery
2005 – 10 USC players investigated for hazing QB Mark Sanchez
2005 – Several players investigated for damage to dorms following a fight among players
2005 – USC RB LenDale White simulates suicide by throwing a tackling dummy off a building in view of the team as a “prank” devised by White & Carroll
2005 – USC players accused of pushing Washington State Head Coach Bill Doba before halftime
2005 – USC LB Rey Maualuga arrested for misdemeanor battery after punching a man at an off-campus Halloween party
2005 – USC QB Matt Leinart is ruled ineligible briefly by the NCAA after an ESPN TV promotion
2006 – Football team investigated for recruiting violations in visits to Papadakis Taverna
2006 – USC QB Matt Leinart was cited by the Pac-10 for illegal workouts at USC
2006 – USC DE Frostee Rucker charged with two misdemeanor counts of spousal battery and two counts of vandalism from the 2005 beating of his girlfriend
2006 – USC RB Reggie Bush and his family investigated for improper gifts and benefits
2006 – USC QB Mark Sanchez was arrested for investigation of sexual assault
2006 – USC WR Dwayne Jarrett investigated on NCAA violation for failing to pay $5,352 in rent.
2006 – USC DBs Brandon & Ryan Ting quit the team under allegations of steroid use
2007 – A federal investigation revealed tapes regarding USC RB Reggie Bush and his family allegedly extorting $280,000 in cash, rent and gifts while he was playing football for USC.
2007 – USC LB Clay Matthews created a racist Facebook group called “White Nation”. The group was joined by USC players David Buehler, Brian Cushing, Dan Deckas and Dallas Sartz.
2007 – USC compliance officials investigate illegal recruiting of RB Joe McKnight.
And the list goes on…
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pdway – I hope you’re right. I’m gonna root for this team through thick and thin, but images of Dennis Erickson and his Miami program keep running through my head and the “success” Erickson had with the Seahawks. Granted, Carroll doesn’t have all the “criminals” like the “U” had… but there’s a lot of shady Florida State stuff that never transpired because Bobby Bowden was so charming with the media.
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“Even I know this is crazy. The man was unsuccessful in the NFL on two teams and then drove a virtually invincible college program downward in a system that gives every recruiting advantage to the strong teams because it has no mechanism for parity. This must be a tactical diversion for someone we want more.”
That’s nuts. USC was in the gutter when he became coach and took it back to the top of the heap. Not to mention all the guys he’s sent to the NFL. I’m not on the Carroll hate wagon, and the more I think about the fewer reservations I have about it. I’d still prefer to have a guy like Sean McDermott, but this isn’t that bad a deal either. I prefer Carroll over retreads I think are overrated like Cowher, Dungy and Gruden.
My question is, will the Team President title mean he’s GM, or at least has control over personnel decisions? Ruskell wasn’t called General Manager, his title was Team President. If Carroll has control of personnel for getting the guys for his schemes, things might start turning around here faster than we think.
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OK – but a lot of that stuff is either real minor (some were stupid pranks) or went away. The Frostee Rucker and Eric Right stuff seems legitimate (though I don’t know your source) and troubling, I didn’t know about those. Though I would say that it is more important to know how Carroll handled it afterwards – obviously a coach can’t be around to prevent a sexual assualt. I remember the Sanchez thing when it went down, and it came out as looking very insubstantial.
Stil, I take your point.
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One thing about any comparisons with Erickson, DE didn’t have any NFL experience when he came to the Seahawks. Pete Carroll does, he knows how things work in the NFL and he has connections Erickson never did.
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pdway – and when we win the Super Bowl we’ll have a toast and drink a beer!
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nighthawk – what are you going to do if Carroll says we’re going to go strong into 2010 with Walt, Sims, Unger, Spencer, and Locklear? We’re set there so we’re going to go hard at other positions in the draft.
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BobbyK – indeed. and you can’t deny, it’s suddenly a bit more interesting to be a Hawks fan. I was readying myself for a looooong off-season (i actually did not think they were going to fire mora this year) – and now, well, should be plenty to read about. and btw, to your point, i do hope we don’t become the raiders, i.e. home for the ‘second chance’ troublemakers of the league, i’m hoping Carroll is smarter than that.
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Bill Belichick learned to be a great NFL coach in the NFL not a decade in between in college. He is a great recruiter and has put out a lot of great NFL players, USC always has, but that does not mean he’s in any way qualified to run an NFL franchise. I’m having a very difficult time believing he’s the most qualified candidate to run the Seahawks football operations.
How good are the Seahawks at skirting the Rooney Rule? First Mora now this. It’s a little embarrassing, really.
By the way, did any of you watch Full Color: History of the AFL. They are running it in 7 segment (I believe) on NFL Network. Awesome stuff.
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“nighthawk – what are you going to do if Carroll says we’re going to go strong into 2010 with Walt, Sims, Unger, Spencer, and Locklear? We’re set there so we’re going to go hard at other positions in the draft. ”
If he doesn’t say this, many others would: “Leiweke forced Carroll to keep Walt, Sims, Unger, Spencer, and Locklear. Seattle will never be any good until the suits stop interfering with the team.”
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http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/43_under_blitz_schemes.html
Mora/Bradley ran the 4-3 Over. Carroll teaches Blitzing from the 4-3 Under. Aaron Curry had a bad year in coverage, but a good year rushing the passer. If Carroll can get him there better with the 4-3 Under, all the better.
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Why would you even think of hiring a Head Coach before a General Manager?
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“By the way, did any of you watch Full Color: History of the AFL. They are running it in 7 segment (I believe) on NFL Network. Awesome stuff”
I’ll look for that — did you catch the ESPN 30 x 30 on the USFL? Really entertaining too – you forget that at one point they signed three Heisman winners in a row. Donald Trump comes off as a complete a-hole.
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I did see that. Trump is a beauty.
klm008 – Thank you so much for linking that. Awesome.
I must say that I feel better after reading that. Thanks. I’m beginning to steady a bit.
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“nighthawk – what are you going to do if Carroll says we’re going to go strong into 2010 with Walt, Sims, Unger, Spencer, and Locklear? We’re set there so we’re going to go hard at other positions in the draft.”
“If he doesn’t say this, many others would: “Leiweke forced Carroll to keep Walt, Sims, Unger, Spencer, and Locklear. Seattle will never be any good until the suits stop interfering with the team.”
Pretty absurd, even for you two. What on earth makes you think anything like is going to happen? First, Walter Jones is more likely to retire than anything else. Second Spencer is a free agent, or maybe a RFA in an uncapped year, and who says they’ll even offer him a tender of any substance, or at all? I have no problem with Unger or Locklear, other than that Locklear belongs strictly on the right side.
You guys upset that I’m not pouring the haterade for Carroll or just that your boy Mora is gone?
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As much as I was cringing at this idea a little earlier, there are is reason for optimism. 1.) In one year the Huskies and Seahawks have completely dismantled the USC reign. 2.) Pete Carroll is a defensive minded coach and that is an area of weakness 3.) So you don’t respect me as your new coach, well guess what you’re fired! 4.) The old Holmgren/Ruskell/Mora holdovers will get a new set of eyes that has been looking at the best talent in the country for the last decade, and deal with them accordingly. 5.) He’ll bring in a pro-style offense that will be effective with running the ball, play action, and downfield throws-even Jake, a former option quarterback looked pretty damn good picking it up in 1 year.
We wanted action and we got, and no more Knapp!!! Dirtbags welcome to Seattle!
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Come on, nighthawk… take a joke. Life’s too short not to have some fun once in awhile. Me and you both (and plenty others) know that our OL needs major work and that should be priority #1.
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“You guys upset that I’m not pouring the haterade for Carroll or just that your boy Mora is gone?”
Actually I didn’t necessarily mean you specifically, which is why I put in the “others” disclaimer. I’m ranting though about the scapegoat syndrome rampant in these comment sections.
If one of these scapegoaters were big Carroll supporters, AND Carroll did something that seemed stupid – rather than accept it at face value, or trust Carroll, the scapegoaters would rather blame anyone they can find in the management chain.
That’s how Leiweke goes from a suit that hardly anyone mentioned 18 months ago to the root of all evil. If it were so obvious he’s evil, you think those people would have figured it out years ago.
Let me repeat again: “Leiweke will never fire his mountain climbing buddy!”
I personally am unsure about Carroll as HC, but if he gets the job, I’ll have to trust the front office knows what they are doing. Just like the formerly denigrated Mariner management did when they hired Zduriencik.
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http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/01/ted-green-pete-carroll-will-lose-credibility-if-he-goes-to-seattle.html
Im callin’ for Ted Green’s head. The insults to my team and the City really pissed me off, and I’m a Cincinnati, Ohio ‘Hawks fan.
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Which is why I said “your boy Mora”.
I’m not for or against Carroll, right now I think anything short of Richie Kotite would an improvement over Mora. Didn’t want what I view as overrated retreads like Cowher, Gruden or Dungy either. I think Pete Carroll can offer something other than deer-in-the-headlight stares and cliches like “we’re going to get this right” and “we’re going to work hard” as solutions to the teams problems. We’ll find out if he can put a staff together, get the right personnel and the right schemes that make this franchise successful. I’ve seen coordinators fail like Mike Nolan and Romeo Crennel and I’ve seen Super Bowl winning coaches like Jimmy Johnson fail in new surroundings. I’m not willing to bag the season because a former NFL coach is coming in from the college ranks. Wouldn’t have been my choice, but the forgot to ask me about this.
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Something tells me the conditioning coach is fired.
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Damn, impressive list!
Jeez Bobby…you didn’t solicit prostitutes or make racist websites in college? I thought that was just normal college-guy-stuff!
Seriously though…you’re right…that isn’t a favorable display if people with character.
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HarbachHawk – the article would have substance if Carroll was in San Diego. But LA sucks..
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Or, nighthawk, you could get Mike Tice, Bobby Petrino, Les Steckel, Scott Linehan, or Marty Mornhinweg.
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I wonder what the Bengals would want for Carson Palmer?
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Jon Kitna maybe?
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This really smacks so much of stupidity. PETE CARROLL? You have got to be joking me, that is the best we can do? Mora for all his blunders is/was light years ahead of this guy! Is our memory so short that we can’t remember how bad he was in his previous attempts in the NFL. Please don’t insinuate that success in college translates to success in the NFL. (He is exhibit “A” of how that isn’t true) But most importantly why are we even having this conversation? Shouldn’t the GM have a bit to say in who coaches what he/she hires? I love the Seahawks – live and die blue and silver, this will be a hard era for me unless things are much better than what I am expecting. I am praying that the deal can’t be done.
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I’m starting to come to grips that Pete Carroll will be the next Seattle Seahawks head coach. I am predicting that they will conduct the interview with the Viking’s Defensive Coordinator, call Carroll to see if he still wants it, and finalize the deal tomorrow night assuming he still does.
What do they all say…”three times is a charm.” Well, lets hope for Carroll’s sake, and the sake for all Seahawk fans, that it is true!
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Attention all Seahawks fan, I am saying this as Seahawks fan that we hawks fan don’t have any say in who they hired, I know most of all Seahawks fans are up in arms with this news of possible getting Carroll but like someone said 3rd time could be a charm so let hope that. I do hope the guy learns from his mistake when he was in NFL and gotten better and if he bring in good coaches and seahawks play better than we all would win.
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ToddSchneider… “Is our memory so short that we can’t remember how bad he was in his previous attempts in the NFL. Please don’t insinuate that success in college translates to success in the NFL”.
Depends on your definition of “bad” I guess but this comment shows either you can’t read or you didn’t bother to check your facts. Carroll went 33-31 in 4 seasons in the NFL. 1 season with a crap NYJ team (who was 1-15 just 2 years before his hire) he went 6-10. Then 3 years with NE where he went 27-21 (10-6, 9-7, 8-8) including 2 playoff appearances. The great thing about Carroll going 97-19 in 9 season at USC is not only maturity (a lack of such he was lambasted for with the Patriots) but his connections in football are far reaching and will prove to be valuable.
2 other points to address:
First, according to several reports Carroll will not have “control” of the team. President, Director of Football Operations, or GM will not be a title Carroll will hold. Great job by everybody freaking out though..pretty awesome to read Here is the link for that information:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/nfl/01/08/carroll.control/index.html?eref=sihp
Second..BobbyK…I respect your opinion on here 99% of the time but this list your throw on here insinuating Pete Carroll is responsible for even “some” of the issues his players have had is slander, defamation of character, and ignorant. Do you understand the level of your accusations? Saying that a 19 year old kid who slapped around his girlfriend is on Pete Carroll is about the dumbest thing I could ever think of someone to say. You even qualified the list. If you had any consideration for doing the right thing you’d remove that list and here is one reason why: http://www.abetterla.org/
I mean..it’s a blog, you can do what you want…but it just seems wrong on so many levels.
I’m not saying Carroll is going to go 16-0 every year and he will be the best coach ever…I’m not sure I even want to defend him considering I dislike USC quite a bit, but I don’t rip holes in someones reputation just to make a point that 18-22 year old kids who are talented, (some) impovershed, and surrounded by scumbags at age 12 make dumb mistakes.
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And ToddSchneider…”Shouldn’t the GM have a bit to say in who coaches what he/she hires”
No.
Paul Allen. Period. If you’ve been paying attention for the past 11 years this wouldn’t be a question you would ask. If the 41st richest person in the entire world wants to hire/fire someone I’m pretty sure he gets his way.
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By chance (visiting the doctor’s office), I read the most recent, behind the scenes bio/article on Pete Carrol yesterday at the doctor’s office. It’s worth reading. Published almost exactly 1 month ago on 12/6/09 by Mike Sager at Esquire Magazine. After learning about his pending hire, I was thrilled to learn it’s available online in it’s entirety for free to share with Hawk’s fans. It’s R rated for language.
http://www.esquire.com/features/pete-carroll-1009
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This is a great move. Good for Tod Leiweke. Its time for everyone to stop bashing the man.
No tinkering around the edges here. They are manning-up and admitting its time to clean house and build a new organization.
And why not? Every year NFL teams try to hire Pete Carroll. He has said he would never come back to the NFL unless he had control over bringing in his own people and building the football operation right, his way.
This is as exciting as bringing back Holmgren, but even better since Holmgren would have kept Mora instead of doing the coaching himself.
Pete Carroll. Leader of the winningest football program in the nation since 2001. 83% winning percentage.
I know Husky’s fans are having a hard time with it, but so what. Sark used to be USC too. We like him just fine now.
I like it the move. One of the smartest football minds in America will rebuild our team!
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tp10super10: “Depends on your definition of “bad” I guess but this comment shows either you can’t read or you didn’t bother to check your facts. Carroll went 33-31 in 4 seasons in the NFL.”
Yeah, 33-31 really isn’t so bad really. If we check into the hall of fame we can find at least 4 modern era coaches who did worse in their first four years.
Bill Walsh was 24-33, Chuck Noll was 23-33, Marv Levy – 23-33 and Tom Landry had a paltry 13-38 record. Heck, Landry never had a winning season until his seventh year in the league.
Looking at more recent coaches one guy who’s enjoyed a modicum of success, Bill Belichick, was 31-33 after 4 seasons. Heck, he was 41-55 after 6 seasons and Norv Turner still has a losing record after three successful seasons with the Chargers (90-98 career).
If all you have to go on is win-loss records after four seasons then Pete Carroll beats all of those guys.
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I’m not so sure if Pete Carroll is the anwser, but I do know that Jim Mora had to go!!!! The Seahawks were 5-7 early on in the season and then finished 5-11, this is unacceptable!!!!! I watched the last game to it’s entirely (stupid huh?) One play in that game we always stick in my mind as long as I live, the Hawks had the ball on the Titan’s 35, with 4th and 10, Mora could of went for the field goal (it would of been a 52 yard field goal), now remember that Mare is a good kicker and a 52 yarder is within his range. So what did Mora do, he punted the ball for a 20 total net yards, I told my friend who was watching the game with me that this is Mora last game with the Hawks!!!!!
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Earther you have a good point!!!!
Let us not forget, that Mike Holmgren had 31-33 coaching record with the Seahawks in his first “four” years and 27-21 with the Packers in his first three years. So Pete’s record of 33-31, is not really all that bad!!!!!!!
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I respectfully disagree. So .500 is our goal? What I remember of those teams that Pete was coach of is that they were under achieving. I have to imagine that there are plenty of coaches that started better than .500 and never got better. Yes, Paul Allen is rich – but that doesn’t make him a football mind (No more than me being a Seahawk fan make me an “expert”). I think that is why he hired that agency out east to do it. So since the two (coach and GM) work so closely together, wouldn’t it be beneficial that they come from the same school of thinking? I really hope I am wrong… I just don’t think I am. Thanks for the input though tp10super10!
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