The Seattle Seahawks surprised a lot of people when it was announced that they were moving on from head coach Pete Carroll. Carroll had been with the team for 14 seasons and was the most successful head coach in franchise history.
His 137 victories are the most by a Seahawks head coach and he also led the team to their first Super Bowl victory in the 2013 season. They were one play away from becoming back-to-back champions as well if not for an ill-fated interception thrown by Russell Wilson at the goal line near the end of the game.
Replacing a coach and person the caliber of Carroll will not be easy. Not only did he find success on the field, but he became a part of the city. Carroll made a lasting impact off the field as much as he did on it.
NFL News & Rumors: John Schneider, Pete Carroll, Jody Allen, Seattle Seahawks Updates
This is something new for everyone in the Seahawks organization. General manager John Schneider is leading his first head coaching search in 14 seasons and now has control over personnel and the search.
He recently revealed that he was given one directive from owner Jody Allen. No matter who is tabbed as the team’s next head coach, they must carry over and continue one thing Carroll built; a positive culture.
“It’s clear. It’s concise. We want to keep our positive culture, everything that’s been created here,” Schneider said. “There’s so many special people in this building. It’s amazing to be on the phone with all these agents and the people that are interested in this position and to be able to explain to them, ‘Hey, there’s a foundation here that’s incredible.'”
There is a new power structure in place in Seattle as well. During his press conference on Tuesday, the first time anyone has spoken since the news of Carroll having his title changed, Schneider revealed that the coaching staff is now one of his responsibilities.
“Our setup earlier was … the coaching staff did not fall under my umbrella, and now it will,” said Schneider, who is signed through the 2027 draft after his contract was extended in January 2021. “It’s not necessarily a Jody Allen decision or choosing this person or that person; it’s just a contractual situation.”
NFL News & Rumors: John Schneider, Pete Carroll, Jody Allen, Seattle Seahawks Updates
Interviews for the head coaching position are already underway. The Seahawks have cast a relatively wide net, Three candidates have already had interviews announced, while the team has requested several others with coordinators around the NFL.
All eight candidates that have been linked to Seattle are under contract with other teams, so only virtual meetings can be held this week. But, starting Monday, as long as that person’s team isn’t preparing for a Conference Championship Game, in-person interviews can begin.
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