Pete Carroll is no longer the Seattle Seahawks head coach. As surprising as that news is, some of the sting should be taken out by the knowledge that Carroll won’t be leaving. According to team chair Jody Allen’s statement, Carroll will be sticking around in an advisor role fo the front office. As you can imagine, the news has come as a shock to many Seahawks fans – who are expressing their regret at Carroll moving on as well as gratitude for everything that he accomplished.
Here’s how Seattle fans, analysts and folks around NFL Twitter are reacting to the news.
Pete Carroll wasn't supposed to be good in the NFL, wasn't supposed to build an elite defense in this era, wasn't supposed to win with his offensive philosophy, wasn't supposed to win without Russell Wilson…I could go on. Absolute stud who made many of us look like idiots.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) January 10, 2024
I was not excited when Pete Carroll was announced as the new coach of the Seahawks. I thought he was superficial and soft. Boy, was I wrong.
He led the most dominant and intimidating era of Seahawks football, and brought us our first ring. I will be forever grateful. pic.twitter.com/1Roo5dhIFz
— Brian Nemhauser (@hawkblogger) January 10, 2024
I think Seattle should conduct a broad search bc there are so many top tier candidates this cycle, buuuuuuuuuuuut Dan Quinn + Devon Witherspoon would be electric
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) January 10, 2024
In all seriousness, I’m forever grateful for what Pete did for this city and organization. But I think it was the right time.
— Jordan Duncan (@JordanDuncan43) January 10, 2024
The first year I covered the Seahawks was 2010, which means that I got to see the LOB built from the ground up, and Russell Wilson take over improbably. Throughout that time, I found Pete Carroll to be an endlessly inquisitive and intellectually curious person who could do a lot…
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) January 10, 2024
Thank you for getting us to 2 super bowls and winning us 1, Pete. You gave me the greatest sports moments of my life. #seahawks
— Nate (@Natehawks1) January 10, 2024
It's common to point to job security as a reason coaches are so conservative on 4th down, but hard to imagine Carroll would have been dismissed if they made the playoffs, and his conservatism directly cost them the game against the Steelers and chance to control destiny
— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) January 10, 2024
Having watched the Seahawks for a very long time, there are 2 distinct eras of NFL football in Seattle: Pre-Pete Carroll and Post-Pete Carroll. Before Pete, the Hawks a had bunch of teams that thought they had a shot, if things went right. Pete changed that. (cont'd.)
— EJ Snyder (@FootballEJ) January 10, 2024
In @PeteCarroll's 14 years as HC, the Seahawks …
• Made the playoffs 10 times.
• Won the NFC West 5 times.
• Won two NFC championships.
• Won Super Bowl XLVIII.
• Went 147-98-1.He's one of 3 coaches to win both a Super Bowl and a Div. I-A national title.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 10, 2024
As @GeeScottSr said on #KJAllDay, I'm loyal to the front of the jersey, not the back. Coaches and players, even owners, come and go, but the team remains. Whatever happens, I'm #Seahawks, #GoHawks. @Seahawks #12thman Love always, @PeteCarroll, glad you'll be sticking around. pic.twitter.com/ZgnzRzrxUy
— Kate O'Hare 💙💚 (@KateOHareWrites) January 10, 2024
Really the #Seahawks could hire a number of guys. Jim Harbaugh, Ben Johnson, Dan Quinn, Mike Vrabel, Eric Bieniemy, etc. I hope they go back to a 4-3 defense and beef up the defensive line. I’m tired of a defense that is constantly one of the worst in the NFL.
— @jome20.bsky.social (@Jome253) January 10, 2024
I'll never forget Pete Carroll's introductory press conference. You understood why so many players say he gives them belief like no other. He delivered on everything he said.
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) January 10, 2024
Brb guys need to take a quick bio break pic.twitter.com/HCSNx7zP6Y
— Chickens and Mentals Caretaker (@_danchu) January 10, 2024
Pete Carroll's gum chewing, fast talking, positive attitude, & high energy will be missed.. 🥹 Thank you Pete!
— Seattle's Very Own ☔️ (@lonzellthe2nd) January 10, 2024
Now do Shane Waldron and Clint Hurtt
— Ⓣ︎Ⓐ︎Ⓡ︎Ⓐ︎ (@hawk_lovr) January 10, 2024
To say I got to work around the team for Pete Carroll’s final two seasons with the franchise as HC was a blessing to say the least. Even got to pick his brain a few times pic.twitter.com/m7wLquvNrb
— Maliik Obee (@NFLMaliik) January 10, 2024
Ya’ll got what you wanted. Fans and media basically drove Pete out. Could be interesting times for Seahawks football, and not necessarily for the better…
— Alaskan 1️⃣2️⃣‼️ (@tomrollman) January 10, 2024
@PeteCarroll 😢😭
— Replacement Hawk (@ReplacementHawk) January 10, 2024
@Seahawks go get Vrabel
— Elijah (@ElijahFF173) January 10, 2024
Never forget that Pete took all the heat for the end of 49. Never blamed Bevell, never blamed Russ, never blamed Lockette.
Eventually people veered blame to other parties but he took all of sports media saying he made the worst call in history and his response was to be positive— lil Kenny & full-size Kenneth (@wrongopinionman) January 10, 2024
Oh NOOOO Pete!! 🥺
— 💙💚Annie 💙💚 (@NoImAnnie) January 10, 2024
Pete Carroll is the only head coach to ever win at least 10 NFL playoff games and 5 college bowl games.
Carroll is 1 of 3 coaches to win a Super Bowl AND a national title along with Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer. https://t.co/xgEo2gWhKu
— Jason Starrett (@starrettjason) January 10, 2024
Pete Carroll is guaranteed a Hall of Fame coach.
The greatest and most successful coach Seattle has ever seen. pic.twitter.com/ryIqjnjsg7
— Seahawks Today (@TodaySeahawks) January 10, 2024
What a ride.
— Ty Dane Gonzalez (@TyDaneGonzalez) January 10, 2024
And that's that. I'm at peace with this decision, but didn't think it would happen. Hope Seahawks fans give Pete Carroll the grace and positive send off that he deserves. The end of an era. https://t.co/HGT6q3808X
— Bill Alvstad🎙️ (@NWSeahawk) January 10, 2024
A legend.
— Mikaela Mattes 🎙 (@mikaelamattes) January 10, 2024
What a ride. I love you @PeteCarroll. Thanks for everything ❤️
— Hustle Chillson (@HustleChillson) January 10, 2024
Legend. Thank you @PeteCarroll https://t.co/XuZfD2sc0j
— Ben (@Ben_Ethio) January 10, 2024
Just so you guys know. They craft these statements carefully. Word for word. To me it reads as "we fired pete and he agreed to stay on as an advisor." https://t.co/VCKeQBxMht
— Replacement Hawk (@ReplacementHawk) January 10, 2024
I have decided i hate the new coach he's not as good as the previous guy
— RustyCoal (@coal_rusty) January 10, 2024
This hurts. 😔💔 https://t.co/nB8yDChK1R
— Lady 12 🇨🇦 💙🏈💚 (@_Lady12) January 10, 2024
. @Seahawks go hire Jim Harbaugh! Like Pete, he’s won at both the college and pro level and knows a lot of players coming out of college just how Carroll built the Super Bowl team.
— @jome20.bsky.social (@Jome253) January 10, 2024
Congrats on a heck of a run and an all-time gif pic.twitter.com/BgmoZkRap4
— Brandon Gustafson (@TheBGustafson) January 10, 2024
Should’ve given him one last year of the retool. Hoping the next HC doesn’t destroy the seeds that have been planted and nurtured pic.twitter.com/JNwBo09rhh
— Rishi Rastogi (@rishiirastogi) January 10, 2024
Honestly an amazing move! Love how he’s still going to be around yet we get to see change 🔥🔥🔥
— Mohammed Al-Azadi (@_twinmohammed) January 10, 2024
#ThankYouPete pic.twitter.com/AstpZ9zg4R
— Chris Phillips (@phillipschris12) January 10, 2024
Happy that Pete remains in the organization and happy we are gonna have a new Head Coach
— moscow mule (@seahawks_ru) January 10, 2024
Pete Carroll is the greatest Head Coach in Seattle sports history.
College or pro.
End of the greatest run in this city’s history
— Dave “Softy” Mahler (@Softykjr) January 10, 2024
Pete Carroll has been a part of my life as a football fan for the last 22 years. He brought energy and passion to #USC at a time when it was desperately needed and a Lombardi trophy to #Seattle and I can’t thank him enough. My love for Uncle Pete will never waiver. #Seahawks
— Ashley Ryan 🎧🎙🥂 (@AshleyLolaRyan) January 10, 2024
I nearly choked on my coffee when I saw this update from the Seahawks thank you Pete for everything🏈💙💚💙💚
— Javalady01 (@Javalady01) January 10, 2024
The end of an era. You did us proud Pete Carroll. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
— Isaac Kimes (@IsaacKimes) January 10, 2024
It's the right time and all the rest of it. But it ACTUALLY happening is tough to digest at the minute.
Wow.
— Stuart Court (@Stu_Court) January 10, 2024
Did not expect that one bit 🥺 #Seahawks
— SeahawksWales🏴 (@SeahawksWales) January 10, 2024
At 72, Pete Carroll still has his entire career ahead of him if he wants to get into politics.
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) January 10, 2024
I am not OK. Thank you for everything Pete! https://t.co/wJSz1ZHFpr pic.twitter.com/tlFlIOfujG
— Al McGrath (@AlMcGrath_) January 10, 2024
This was probably the right time for the #Seahawks and Pete Carroll to go in a different direction. Carroll has had a legendary career. I think people forget how good a coordinator he was back in the day before the stints with the Jets and Patriots as head coach
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) January 10, 2024
Forever Legend 💯 pic.twitter.com/aTCuILGhBf
— Lofa Tatupu (@LofaTatupu51) January 10, 2024
Yeah, Im full on crying now
— Selina (@Selinaaa1212) January 10, 2024
I'm bummed to see the Pete Carroll era end. He's a Seattle institution and created some of the best years in Seahawks history. I've bought into to so many of his philosophical mantras and respect his dogged, resolute optimism. He's influenced so many. So, salute to a legend
— Danny Kelly (@DannyBKelly) January 10, 2024
Pete Carroll's Seahawks once had a run of 98(!) straight games where they had a lead or were within one score in the 4th quarter.
Winning record in 11 of 14 seasons. Regardless of circumstance, got players to believe something good was just around the corner. All-time run.
— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) January 10, 2024
never forget Pete Carroll ripping his shirt off before interviewing DK Metcalf at the NFL Combine pic.twitter.com/NyaOhtT7py
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) January 10, 2024
I was just with ya on Christmas.
Today is my birthday!!
Not happy 😕 pic.twitter.com/fenRNeFRDh— VictoriaHawk24 (@VictoriaParadi4) January 10, 2024
