History of Pete Carroll in Timeline

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

September 15, 1951: Peter Clay Carroll Born

On September 15, 1951, Peter Clay Carroll was born. He later became a successful football coach, leading teams in college and the NFL.

Others born on this day/year

1969: Athlete of the Year Honors

In 1969, Pete Carroll, as a senior, was recognized as the Athlete of the Year at his high school for his achievements in football, basketball, and baseball.

1971: All-Pacific Coast Athletic Association Honors

In 1971, Pete Carroll earned All-Pacific Coast Athletic Association honors while playing free safety for the University of the Pacific Tigers.

1973: Earned Bachelor of Science Degree

In 1973, Pete Carroll earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of the Pacific.

1974: Inspired by 'The Inner Game of Tennis'

In 1974, Pete Carroll began drawing coaching inspiration from the book "The Inner Game of Tennis" by W. Timothy Gallwey, focusing on clearing the mind and enhancing focus to improve performance.

1976: Earning Master's Degree

In 1976, Pete Carroll earned a secondary teaching credential and a Master's degree in physical education while serving as a graduate assistant at the University of the Pacific.

1977: Joined University of Arkansas as Graduate Assistant

In 1977, Pete Carroll joined the University of Arkansas as a graduate assistant, working with the secondary.

1978: Razorbacks won the Orange Bowl

In 1978, the Arkansas Razorbacks, where Pete Carroll was a graduate assistant, won the Orange Bowl.

1980: Defensive Coordinator at North Carolina State

In 1980, Pete Carroll became the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at North Carolina State University.

1980: Coaching at Ohio State and Rose Bowl Appearance

In 1980, Pete Carroll coached the secondary at Ohio State University, and the team made it to the 1980 Rose Bowl, where they lost to USC.

1983: Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Pacific

In 1983, Pete Carroll became the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at the University of the Pacific.

1984: Defensive Backs Coach for Buffalo Bills

In 1984, Pete Carroll entered the NFL as the defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills.

1985: Joins Minnesota Vikings

In 1985, Pete Carroll moved to the Minnesota Vikings, serving as their defensive backs coach.

1989: Candidate for Stanford Head Coach

In 1989, Pete Carroll was a candidate for the head coaching position at Stanford University, but Dennis Green was selected instead.

1990: Defensive Coordinator for New York Jets

In 1990, Pete Carroll became the defensive coordinator for the New York Jets under Bruce Coslet.

1992: Candidate for Vikings Head Coach

In 1992, Pete Carroll was a serious candidate for the Vikings' head coach position but did not get the job.

1993: Continues as Defensive Coordinator for the Jets

In 1993, Pete Carroll continued his role as the defensive coordinator for the New York Jets.

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.

1995: Defensive Coordinator for San Francisco 49ers

In 1995, Pete Carroll became the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.

1995: Inducted into Pacific Athletic Hall of Fame

In 1995, Pete Carroll was inducted into the Pacific Athletic Hall of Fame.

1997: Head Coach of the New England Patriots

In 1997, Pete Carroll was hired as the head coach of the New England Patriots, replacing Bill Parcells.

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.

December 15, 2000: Named Head Coach of USC Trojans

On December 15, 2000, Pete Carroll was named the head coach of the USC Trojans, signing a five-year contract.

2000: Consultant and Columnist

In 2000, Pete Carroll spent the year as a consultant for pro and college teams, did charitable work for the NFL, and wrote a column about pro football for CNNSI.com.

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.

October 13, 2001: USC Winning Streak Begins

On October 13, 2001, Pete Carroll's USC Trojans began a 35-game winning streak at the Coliseum with a 48-17 victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils.

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.

2002: Approached by NFL Teams

In 2002, Pete Carroll was repeatedly approached regarding vacant head coach positions in the NFL, but he hesitated to return.

April 2003: Founded A Better LA

In April 2003, after moving to Los Angeles, Pete Carroll organized a meeting that led to the founding of A Better LA, a charity dedicated to reducing violence in urban areas of Los Angeles.

2003: USC Winning Streak Begins

In 2003, Pete Carroll's USC team began a then-school record 34 straight game winning streak after a triple-overtime loss to California.

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.

2004: Trojans Asked to Return Grantland Rice Trophy

In 2004, The Trojans were asked to return the Grantland Rice Trophy after being stripped of the 2004 Football Writers Assn. of America national championship.

2004: Grantland Rice Trophy Taken Back

In 2010, the Football Writers Association of America took back USC's 2004 Grantland Rice Trophy, leaving the year vacant, due to sanctions.

2004: Forfeiture of Victories

In 2010, the NCAA announced sanctions against the USC football program including forfeiture of some football victories from 2004, a season which had included winning the Bowl Championship Series title.

January 2005: USC Wins BCS Title

In January 2005, Pete Carroll's USC team won the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) title, capping off the 2004 season.

December 2005: Contract Extension

In December 2005, Pete Carroll agreed to a contract extension with USC, further solidifying his position with the team.

2005: BCS National Championship

In 2005, Pete Carroll won a BCS national championship at the Orange Bowl with USC, although the title was later vacated.

2005: School-Record Winning Streak

In 2005, Pete Carroll's team won a then-school record of 34 straight games.

2005: Forfeiture of Wins

In 2010, the NCAA announced sanctions against the USC football program including forfeiture of all team victories from the undefeated 2005–06 regular season, when USC lost to Texas in the BCS title game.

2005: Seahawks Previous Best Record

In 2013, Pete Carroll matched Mike Holmgren's 2005 season of 13-3, tying for the best in Seattle history.

2006: National Championship Game Appearance

In 2006, Pete Carroll's USC Trojans played in the national championship game against the Texas Longhorns in the Rose Bowl.

July 2007: USC Named Team of the Decade by ESPN

In July 2007, ESPN.com named USC its #1 team of the decade for the period between 1996 and 2006, primarily citing the Trojans' renaissance and dominance under Carroll.

September 22, 2007: Last Victory in Coliseum Winning Streak

On September 22, 2007, the USC Trojans, coached by Pete Carroll, secured their final victory in a 35-game winning streak at the Coliseum, defeating the Washington State Cougars 47–14.

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.

May 2008: Carroll Defines BCS Era

In May 2008, Pete Carroll was named the coach who did the most to define the first 10 years of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) Era, recognizing his significant impact on college football.

2008: Hiring Named Top Moment of BCS Era

In 2008, ESPN.com named Pete Carroll's hiring as the head coach of USC number 1 in a list of the Pac-10's top ten moments of the BCS era, reversing earlier criticism.

2008: Carroll asked about Rose Bowl

In 2008, Pete Carroll was asked if winning the Rose Bowl was ever not enough, given the team's national championship aspirations and previous exclusion from the championship game in 2003.

April 2009: Launched CampPete.com

In April 2009, Pete Carroll launched CampPete.com, a multiplayer online game designed to promote his "Win Forever" philosophy to children through virtual activities and games, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting A Better LA.

April 2009: Induction into Hall of Fame

In April 2009, Pete Carroll was inducted into the charter class of the Redwood High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

January 8, 2010: Carroll Rumored for Seahawks Job

On January 8, 2010, it was reported that Pete Carroll was about to be hired as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks; the two parties were hammering out "minor details" in the pending contract.

January 9, 2010: Carroll Agrees to Contract with Seahawks

On the morning of January 9, 2010, Pete Carroll reportedly came to an agreement with the Seattle Seahawks on a five-year contract to become head coach, signaling his departure from USC.

January 11, 2010: Carroll Leaves USC for Seattle Seahawks

On January 11, 2010, Pete Carroll left USC to become the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, agreeing to a 5-year, $33 million contract.

June 9, 2010: Carroll Appears Before NCAA Committee

On June 9, 2010, it was reported that Pete Carroll, along with other active and former USC officials, had appeared in front of a ten-member NCAA Committee on Infractions the previous February regarding violations.

June 10, 2010: Carroll Reacts to USC Sanctions

On June 10, 2010, Pete Carroll stated he was "absolutely shocked and disappointed in the findings of the NCAA" regarding the USC sanctions in a video produced by his new employers.

August 26, 2010: FWAA Takes Back USC's 2004 Grantland Rice Trophy

On August 26, 2010, the Football Writers Association of America announced it would take back USC's 2004 Grantland Rice Trophy and leave that year's award vacant due to NCAA sanctions.

2010: Hired as Seahawks Head Coach

In 2010, Pete Carroll returned to the NFL and was hired as the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks.

2010: Seahawks Beat Saints in Playoffs

In 2010, after a 7-9 regular season record, Pete Carroll coached the Seattle Seahawks to an upset victory against the then-Super Bowl Champions New Orleans Saints by a score of 41-36 during the wild-card round of the playoffs, behind running back Marshawn Lynch.

2011: Seahawks Miss Playoffs

In 2011, Pete Carroll again coached the Seahawks to a 7-9 record, but it was not enough to secure a playoff spot.

2012: Seahawks Make Playoffs

In 2012, Pete Carroll led the Seattle Seahawks, along with rookie quarterback Russell Wilson, to an 11-5 record, marking his first winning season for the team and securing a playoff berth.

2012: Seattle's Home Winning Streak Started

The Seattle Seahawks 2013 season began with their at-home winning streak, which had started in Week 2 of the 2012 season.

2013: Seahawks Finish Regular Season at 13-3

In 2013, Pete Carroll lead the Seahawks to finish the regular season with a 13-3 record, matching Mike Holmgren's 2005 season, and secured the number one seed in the NFC.

February 2, 2014: Carroll Wins Super Bowl XLVIII

On February 2, 2014, Pete Carroll led the Seattle Seahawks to their first Super Bowl win in franchise history, defeating the Denver Broncos 43–8 in Super Bowl XLVIII, joining Barry Switzer and Jimmy Johnson as the only coaches to win both an NCAA championship and a Super Bowl.

July 2014: Carroll to Enter USC Hall of Fame

In July 2014, Pete Carroll was announced as a member of the 2015 USC Athletic Hall of Fame class, honoring his contributions to the university's athletic program.

2014: Carroll Comments on NCAA Investigation

In 2014, Pete Carroll commented during a visit to USC that "the NCAA's investigation into USC was dealt with poorly and very irrationally and done with way too much emotion instead of facts."

2014: Seahawks Defeat Broncos in Rematch

In 2014, a Super Bowl XLVIII rematch came in Week 3, with Seattle again defeating Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, 26–20 in overtime.

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.

2015: Carroll on USC's Success and Bitterness

In 2015, Pete Carroll reflected on USC's success, stating "We had so much success and we had so much fun doing it, it was uncommon for people to understand. ... I think it rubbed people the wrong way. There was such a bitterness."

2015: Seahawks in Playoffs

In 2015, the Seattle Seahawks began the season with blowing fourth quarter leads but ended the regular season with a revengeful win against the Arizona Cardinals. The Seahawks entered the postseason as the #6 seed, winning its Wild Card Round. They later fell to the Carolina Panthers in the Divisional Round.

July 25, 2016: Contract Extension with Seahawks

On July 25, 2016, Pete Carroll signed a three-year contract extension with the Seattle Seahawks, ensuring he would remain in Seattle through the 2019 season.

2016: Seahawks Win Division Title

In 2016, Pete Carroll's Seahawks clinched the NFC West title after a victory over the Los Angeles Rams, marking Carroll's fourth division title in seven seasons with the team.

October 14, 2018: Seahawks All-Time Wins Leader

On October 14, 2018, Pete Carroll achieved his 91st win as head coach of the Seahawks over the Oakland Raiders, becoming the franchise's all-time wins leader, surpassing Mike Holmgren's previous record.

2018: Seahawks Winningest Coach

In 2018, Pete Carroll became the Seattle Seahawks' winningest coach.

September 15, 2019: 100th Win as Seahawks Head Coach

On September 15, 2019, his 68th birthday, Pete Carroll secured his 100th win as the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks with a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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.

November 8, 2020: Contract Extension with Seahawks

On November 8, 2020, Pete Carroll agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Seattle Seahawks, securing his position with the team for the foreseeable future.

2020: Coached in the Pro Bowl

In 2020, Pete Carroll had the honor of coaching the NFC team in the Pro Bowl, recognizing his contributions to the sport and the Seattle Seahawks.

2020: Named to NFL All-Decade Team

In 2020, Pete Carroll, along with Bill Belichick, was named as a coach for the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, recognizing his success and impact on the league during that period.

January 16, 2022: Carroll to Retain Job

On January 16, 2022, despite a disappointing season, it was reported that Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider would retain their positions for the 2022 season.

2023: Stepped down as Seahawks Head Coach

Following the 2023 season, Pete Carroll stepped down as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks to take an advisory position for one year.

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.

January 10, 2024: Stepped down as head coach

On January 10, 2024, Pete Carroll mutually agreed with the Seahawks to step down from his head coaching role, marking the end of an era for the team. Mike Macdonald was named as his successor.

January 25, 2025: Hired as Raiders Head Coach

On January 25, 2025, Pete Carroll was hired as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, marking a new chapter in his coaching career after his departure from the Seahawks.