With Ben Johnson choosing to team with Caleb Williams in Chicago, his other two suitors will need backup plans. While Liam Coen has been closely tied to the Jags, the Raiders may have a more experienced option in mind.
Pete Carroll was among the many candidates to meet with the Bears, but the former Super Bowl-winning HC also interviewed for the Raiders’ job. As Johnson is Chicago-bound, The Athletic’s Tashan Reed indicates Carroll looks to have moved into frontrunner position in Las Vegas. This marks the second mention of Carroll being a true candidate in Las Vegas.
The Raiders are using the Korn Ferry search firm’s Jed Hughes to help them identify their next coach, and Reed points out Hughes helped guide Carroll to the Seahawks in 2010. This connection is certainly interesting, and a Carroll HC appointment would both make him the rare fourth-chance NFL HC and represent a stark difference from the direction the Raiders were prepared to go with Johnson.
Although Tom Brady spoke with Johnson extensively over Zoom and had eyed the Lions’ OC for a while, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz indicates the team was never considered the frontrunner for the hotshot play-caller. The Bears were viewed as the early favorites, and the team stuck the landing with the picky candidate. Johnson’s decision will certainly affect the Raiders, who joined the Jaguars in appearing to have him atop their candidate list.
Carroll turned 73 in September. As this space has regularly reminded, no team has hired a head coach older than 66 (Bruce Arians, 2019). Those reminders generally pertained to Bill Belichick, who will turn 73 in April. But Belichick is now at North Carolina. Although a few rumors — including one involving the Raiders — have mentioned some uneasiness on the Tar Heels’ part, Belichick is believed to be committed to trying his hand in the ACC. Although Arians is the oldest full-time HC ever hired, Carroll joins Romeo Crennel, George Halas and Marv Levy as coaches to man the sideline at 72. Of course, Carroll would become the oldest HC in league history if the Raiders hire him. No one has coached a game at 73 previously.
It would certainly be interesting, then, if Carroll became the oldest HC ever hired after Belichick punted on another HC carousel stay. Carroll spent 14 seasons as Seahawks HC but was Belichick’s Patriots predecessor (1997-99) as well. He began his head coaching run as a one-and-done Jets leader in 1994. (Brady was a rookie in 2000 and did not overlap with Carroll in New England.) To be on the radar for a job 30 years later represents remarkable staying power for the two-time Super Bowl coach.
Following the Johnson-Bears agreement, here is how the Raiders’ HC search looks:
- Bill Belichick, head coach (North Carolina): Contacted about job
- Pete Carroll, former head coach (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/13; rumored frontrunner
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): Mentioned as candidate
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/10
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/10; hired by Bears
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed 1/16
- Todd Monken, offensive coordinator (Ravens): To interview
- Ron Rivera, former head coach (Commanders): Interviewed 1/17
- Robert Saleh, former head coach (Jets): Interviewed 1/16
- Deion Sanders, head coach (Colorado): Reportedly interested, but interest is not mutual
- Steve Spagnuolo, defensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/10
- Mike Vrabel, former head coach (Titans): Interview declined; hired by Patriots
Gag me w a spoon
If nothing else, Carroll could reset the culture there. He knows how to win. To this day, Wilson talks about the influence Carroll had on him and the Seattle franchise. The Raiders need a reset. If they can somehow get a serious QB, he could be the right guy to at least jumpstart something.
My only question for Pete is “Why at your age do you want the aggravation of working for such a dysfunctional organization as the Raiders?”
$$$$$$$$ is the answer.
At 73, unless you are a heroin or coke addict looking to finance your fix, it’s unlikely that money would be your major motivation. Carroll has spent his entire life coaching football and did not feel ready to retire. Of course he wants to coach again.
Name one owner in any pro league that stops caring about money. And they’re all old. Why shouldn’t millionaires grab their bag as well?
You don’t understand the wealthy or the ambitious or older people do you, Arty? There are the occasional very greedy people who continue to be greedy in their waning years (George Soros, Rupert Murdoch). But that’s because greed is what they do and have always done.
In Carroll’s case, coach football is what he’s always done. I’m sure money is the last thing on his mind, unless his children have very serious financial issues (possible). Do some homework and come back with a solid case, instead of making mad accusations based on projection.
I certainly do Alec. Financial earning is competition no matter the field it’s made in. Why don’t average QB1s take below top market deals? Trevor, Goff, Herbert, Prescott etc. Same for all pro positions. Its money!
Same for HC’s Kyle (no rings)S Payton 1, Tomlin 1, Both Harbaugh’s, John has 1. Don’t tell me money isn’t the major motivation. Campbell and McDermott are tied at 8, why with your theory.
Just saw back to back ads N Saban selling VRBO and D Adams repping Taco Bell. Don’t they have enough money? Tom B is still working as are the Mannings.
It’s always money.
I do agree that money is always good but at 73 Pete has a net worth of 50 million. Coaching is in his blood and he wants to continue. It’s been his life. I dont think money is the whole reason. I do think he wants the right opportunity also. He had expressed interest in working with Caleb Williams. Not sure about Raiders though.
Do you think he’ll take a top 15 HC paycheck? I don’t. Nor would you, myself, or Alec in that position.
Pete will probanly keel over and die on the sidelines. It’s just who he is. Who wants to sit home watching TV?
So, I can see both your point, Arty, as well as Alec’s. I think you’re both correct because you’re comparing two different professions.
An owner doesn’t stop caring about money because, for many, the challenge of accumulating wealth is what drives them. If you have 1 billion dollars, the push is to turn it into 2 billion.
For a coach, it’s about molding a team into a championship club. That’s what drives them. I don’t know if a coach that was purely about the money could be a successful coach. Of course everyone wants to be rewarded for their hard work, though. But I believe Alec’s point is Pete already has been rewarded for it, but the drive to coach is still there.
Player negotiations are a different animal entirely because you’re not just negotiating for your own contract, you’re also influencing future players’ earnings if you can set new benchmarks. If you take a discounted deal before a certain age, you undercut everyone else.
Naturally, there will always be exceptions. I believe Pete just wants to coach, though. He didn’t really get to finish on his teams in Seattle. I think he’d take a job nearly anywhere to do that. I also think he’d be a solid hire for LV.
Also think the parting in Seattle might offer motivation to show he can build another winningbl team. Only way will work in LV is if he can have say in player choices. Does need his pieces to make it work. He will certainly add excitement and winning culture to any team.
I think Pete would do a fine job
He is a solid person…solid coach…and the Raiders need some stability
I think that would be a great hire. He can find a good QB in unexpected places and set the team on a path to win and then retire in a couple years.
Pete Carrol doesn’t look 73 years old and is in great shape for his age. He could easily coach until he’s 80.
Let me get this straight… The Raiders are using the Korn Ferry Firm to help them identify their next coach. Fox Sports Jordan Schultz is basically doing a victory as Ben Johnson was never even close as a front runner for the Raiders HC position, even though it was a lock on PFR.
Also, Tom Brady spoke extensively over Zoom with Ben Johnson. Probably not about the HC position, but the game with Washington. Tom Brady was the announcer and as we all are well aware, Tommy is not permitted to attend in-person or online broadcast production meetings and may not have access to team facilities, players or coaches. It’s easy to connect that Tommy will Zoom with coaches due to his restrictions.