Pete Carroll's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Pete Carroll. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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

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.

1978: Razorbacks won the Orange Bowl

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

1995: Inducted into Pacific Athletic Hall of Fame

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.