Seattle Seahawks Keep Pete Carroll For 5 More Years As Head Coach

By Jordan Long

Yesterday, the Seattle Seahawks lost to the Buffalo Bills 44-34, dropping to 6-2 on the season.  The Seahawks are still one game ahead of the Arizona Cardinals for 1^st place in the NFC West.  Despite the loss, Seattle gave Head Coach Pete Carroll a 5-year contract extension.  The financial terms of the deal weren’t announced.

                Carroll has been Seattle’s Head Coach since 2010.  It was Carroll’s third NFL head coaching job.  He was with the New York Jets for one season in 1994 and they went 6-10.  He was hired by New England but that lasted 3 years from 1997 to 1999.  New England went 27-21 under him with 2 playoff berths but it wasn’t enough to save his job.

                Before taking the Seattle job, Carroll was very successful in the college game with USC. In 9 seasons, USC went an impressive 97-19, a winning percentage of .836.  USC ended up in a bowl game every year.  They were  7-2 in those games.  After 2009 Carroll was ready for the NFL once again.

                Carroll must have learned from his past experience in the NFL.  He has turned Seattle into a winning franchise and a consistent Super Bowl contender.  Seattle advanced to the postseason 8 times under him.  Seattle should make it a 9^th time as long as major injuries don’t derail their year.  Seattle  made it to the Super Bowl twice, winning it all in 2013.  They won the NFC West Division 4 times. 

                His body of work shows he deserves this new deal.  The contract will expire in 2025.  At that time Carroll will be 74, the oldest coach in NFL history passing both George Halas and Marv Levy. It could be time for him to walk away then.  It is also possible if the Seahawks start to play poorly for a few of those seasons and miss the playoffs, Carroll might be fired.

                Carroll has his opportunity to lead this football team for another 5 years.  The goal for him is to make it back to a few Super Bowls and this time win them.    For now, Carroll should focus on this season to help them make a deep postseason run.  They are most likely going to earn a playoff spot.  Where it will end will be on his ability to coach this team.