Pete Carroll broke down in tears in his final Seattle Seahawks press conference, as he paid tribute to his wife, Glena, and their children for their support throughout his 13-year reign in the Northwest following the announcement of his shock departure.
It was announced earlier on Wednesday that Carroll, 72, would be out as the team’s head coach after 14 seasons at the helm, and will transition to an advisory role with the organization.
Carroll’s tenure as head coach ends with a record of 137-89-1, a first Super Bowl win for the franchise in 2013, and 10 postseason appearances. He went 10-9 overall in the playoffs.
‘It’s been an honor and a thrill to be a part of this program,’ Carroll told reporters and players in attendance, Wednesday. ‘I’ve loved every minute of it and you’ve watched me love it.
‘This is worth crying for,’ he later added. ‘Glena, nobody would ever understand how significant [you are]. She’s been through all of the stuff that we’ve been through and how important she is… She has just been the angel of my life.
Ex-Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll fighting back tears at his final press conference
Carroll celebrates with his wife Glena after the Seattle defeats Denver in Super Bowl XLVIII
Pete and Glena Carroll seen in L.A. in May 2013 – three months after Seattle’s Super Bowl win
Carroll went on to thank his sons, Brennan and Nate, who have been part of the Seahawks coaching staff throughout the last couple of years, saying ‘they would be the ones that would give me all the crap about what I was doing wrong, what I was screwing up.
‘They were harsh and their critiques were rash and the whole thing…it was perfect,’ he further said. ‘Because they needed that loyalty and they were the epitome of it for me. And so, I’ll forever be grateful. They know.
‘But I don’t mind saying it to you because its hard to be that deeply loyal. It’s hard to tell people what they don’t want to hear and what they need to hear. And, it’s rare having people around you to do that, particularly when you get this kind of position. And it’s so necessary to do well and to do right.
Seahawks owner Jody Allen said Carroll’s departure from the team’s head coaching role was ‘amicable’ and was made ‘for the best interest of the franchise.’
Carroll thanked his sons, Brennan (seen in 2019) and Nate, for being his assistants in Seattle
Seahawks senior offensive assistant Nate Carroll watches his father speak to the media, Wed.
For his part, Carroll said on Wednesday that he intends to be with the team in a capacity that is still being shaped, including helping in a search for his successor.
Reports indicated Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who held the same post with the Seahawks under Carroll before becoming head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, is one name atop Carroll and general manager John Schneider’s list of candidates.
Allen’s statement lauded Carroll.
‘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’s statement read. ‘His expertise in leadership and building a championship culture will continue as an integral part of our organization moving forward.’
Carroll, 72, is 170-120-1 overall in 18 years as head coach of the New York Jets (1994), New England Patriots (1997-99) and Seahawks. ‘It’s really always been about the fun,’ he said.
Seahawks QB Geno Smith looks over at reporters as he went to Carroll’s last press conference
Seahawks general manager John Schneider was also at Carroll’s last media availability on Wed.
He had dismissed retirement rumors Monday.
‘I’m not worn out. I’m not tired. I’m not any of that stuff,’ said Carroll, who was the NFL’s oldest head coach. ‘I need to do a better job and I need to help my coaches more and we need to do a better job of coaching.’
The Seahawks beat the Arizona Cardinals 21-20 on Sunday to finish the season 9-8. They lost out on a playoff berth to the Green Bay Packers, who held the tiebreaker over Seattle.
The Seahawks have missed the playoffs only four times in his tenure, including two of the past three seasons, but won Super Bowl XLVIII 43-8 over the Denver Broncos following the 2013 season.
They followed that campaign with an NFC conference title but lost Super Bowl XLIX 28-24 to the New England Patriots.
Quinn was defensive coordinator under Carroll for the back-to-back Super Bowl appearances.