'Holy S---!' Rams Coach McVay Reacts to Seahawks' Pete Carroll Firing
As Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay is preparing for his 11th playoff game, one of his most commonly faced foes is entering the next stage of life.
The Seattle Seahawks announced Wednesday that Pete Carroll wouldn't be returning as head coach, instead shifting to an advisory role.
McVay and Carroll played each other 15 times, with Los Angeles going 10-5 in the matchups, headlined by sweeping this season's two matchups.
Last summer, Carroll said McVay's one of the best coaches he's faced - and McVay, amidst the stresses of playoff time, reciprocated the praise this week.
“What a great coach,” McVay said. “What an amazing leader of people, the consistency at which he's operated with. I got tremendous respect for him, especially going against him in the division for the last seven years.”
Sep 10, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay shake hands after the game at Lumen Field.
Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Carroll boasts a career regular season record of 170-120-1, including a 137-89-1 record in Seattle, where he won five NFC West titles, two NFC championship games and one Super Bowl.
And yet, while his resume is impressive, it's the intangibles that made Carroll successful above all else.
“I think a lot of the values and principles he has in terms of the energy, the competitiveness, the way that he pours into his players where you're uplifting,” McVay said. “I think what great coaches do is make people they're around and situations they're a part of better.
“And Pete Carroll is one of those guys that comes to mind when I mention that.”
Carroll made the playoffs 10 times in his 14 year-stint with the Seahawks but missed twice in the past three seasons.
His consummate success is particularly impressive when considering the manner in which his professional coaching career started - a one-and-done with the New York Jets in 1994, followed by going 27-21 with the New England Patriots from 1997-1999.
A winning yet controversial stint at the University of Southern California led Carroll to Seattle, and the rest is history - while his path to the top has earned respect from McVay.
“The ultimate competitor,” McVay said. “I think what I appreciate most about him is as he navigated his coaching journey, being able to figure out exactly how they wanted to do things and man, did they have an identity with the teams that he's coached with how they played, how they enjoyed the consistency, but also being at your best when your best was required.”
Carroll began his coaching career in 1973 as a graduate assistant at the University of Pacific. Over 50 years later, his career on the sideline has come to a close.
The 37-year-old McVay, who nearly retired last offseason, won't have age to cite as a factor if he follows suit in the coming years - but he's enjoyed Los Angeles' success this campaign and appears poised to hang around for at least a few more.
For now, though, McVay's focus is on beating the Detroit Lions this at 5 p.m. PST Sunday - but in the back of his mind, he can't help but appreciate the legacy Carroll left behind.
“Coach Carroll is a stud,” McVay said, “and if I'm sitting up here being able to do that as long as he did, holy s--- will that be impressive.”
