Challenges Faced by Pete Carroll: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Pete Carroll. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Pete Carroll is an American football coach, notable for his successful tenures in both college and professional football. He served as head coach for the USC Trojans, leading them to a national championship, and later coached the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory. He is one of only three coaches to win both a college national championship and a Super Bowl. He has also coached the New York Jets and New England Patriots. Most recently, he was named as head coach for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1994: Head Coach of the New York Jets

In 1994, Pete Carroll was elevated to head coach of the New York Jets. Despite a promising start, the Jets finished with a 6-10 record and he was subsequently fired after one season.

1998: Lost in Wild Card Playoff Round

In 1998, Pete Carroll's Patriots team lost in the wild card playoff round.

1999: Fired as Head Coach of Patriots

In 1999, after missing the playoffs, Pete Carroll was fired as the head coach of the New England Patriots.

September 29, 2001: Loss to Stanford

On September 29, 2001, during Pete Carroll's first year as head coach, USC lost to Stanford Cardinal 21–16.

2001: USC Trojans under Pete Carroll

In 2001, Pete Carroll's first season as coach for the USC Trojans started with a 2-5 record. However, his teams then went 67-7 over the next 74 games, winning two national championships.

2003: Controversy arose when USC was excluded from the National Championship Game

In 2003, Pete Carroll's USC was excluded from the National Championship Game despite being ranked #1 in both the AP Poll and the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll.

October 6, 2007: Coliseum Winning Streak Ends

On October 6, 2007, Pete Carroll's USC Trojans lost to the Stanford Cardinal 24-23, ending their 35-game winning streak at the Coliseum.

February 1, 2015: Seahawks Lose Super Bowl XLIX

On February 1, 2015, Pete Carroll's Seattle Seahawks lost Super Bowl XLIX to his former team, the New England Patriots, 28–24, after a controversial play call in the final seconds.

September 21, 2020: Carroll Fined for Mask Violation

On September 21, 2020, Pete Carroll was fined US$100,000 by the NFL for not properly wearing a face mask during a Week 2 game, as required for coaches during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2023: Carroll Defends Super Bowl XLIX Play-Call

In 2023, Pete Carroll defended his decision to call a pass play in the final seconds of Super Bowl XLIX, despite previously taking accountability for the team's failure to win the game.