Seahawks fans are probably feeling a bit punch drunk right now. While some coaching staff changes were to be expected this offseason, it seems most fans were expecting them to be focused on assistants. Specifically, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt are the two most-popular scapegoats for how the 2023 season ended.
However, Waldron and Hurtt were only there because Pete Carroll hired them, and the organization went one further by dismissing the man at the top of the foodchain. In case you’ve been under a rock on Pluto for last few hours, Carroll is stepping aside as Seattle’s head coach and will stay on in an advisory capacity.
Even after the news was out, Carroll still held his customary end-of-year press conference. Here are six compelling quotes from his conversation with the media at the VMAC today.
On the Seahawks: 'We made something special'
Carroll on his Seahawks Legacy: "We weren’t anything and then we were something. We made something special.''
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) January 10, 2024
On GM John Schneider taking over: 'He deserves this'
Pete Carroll said the biggest factor in agreeing to step down as coach was for John Schneider to get his chance to lead: “He deserves this.”
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) January 10, 2024
On Seattle's decline: 'We lost our edge'
Carroll acknowledges "we lost our edge'' some the last few years in getting away from being able to run and defend the run as well as in the past.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) January 10, 2024
On his new role: 'We're going to figure that out'
Carroll said he doesn't know what his role as an advisor will entail. "We’re going to figure that out."
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) January 10, 2024
On the next Seahawks coach: 'You gotta figure out who you are'
"You gotta figure out who you are."
Pete Carroll's advice to the next coach. pic.twitter.com/Tet0yp0hPb
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 10, 2024
On the players: 'They are the NFL'
Pete Carroll in his closing press conference
"This league is about the players… celebrate them. Because they are the NFL." pic.twitter.com/z4ryKB3zIh
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) January 10, 2024
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