ESPN: Pete Carroll has expressed interest in Chicago Bears job, wants to return to coaching
With Bill Belichick now on the college sidelines, one of the NFL’s great is no longer in the running for jobs at that level. But another might be, with Pete Carroll reportedly interested in a return.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Carroll has expressed interest in the Chicago Bears’ head coaching job and “would like to return to the sideline next season,” according to league sources.
Pete Carroll is one of four head coaches to have led programs to both a Super Bowl title and a college football national championship.
His return would be a seismic shift in the NFL ranks.
Carroll last coached in the NFL in 2023, with the Seattle Seahawks. He had a remarkably impressive stint with the organization from 2010-2023, even capturing the Super Bowl XLVIII title.
While coaching the Seahawks, Pete Carroll went 137-89-1 overall (.606). He had a 10-9 record in the playoffs, finishing first in the NFC West five times. His stint ended after a 7-10 season was followed by two 9-8 campaigns, with Seattle missing the playoffs in two of his final three years.
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Pete Carroll and the Seahawks then mutually agreed that he would step down in early 2024.
Prior to his time in the NFL, Carroll coached in the college ranks at USC. He spent 2001-09 with the Trojans, winning multiple national championships in the process, though his tenure was not completely without controversy.
USC won titles in 2003 and 2004 during one of the most remarkable runs in program history. Carroll’s tenure would end in disappointment despite the fact that he won 11 or more games in seven straight seasons at one point.
The NCAA hit USC with a two-year bowl ban, the elimination of 30 football scholarships, and forfeiture of victories from the 2004 and 2005 seasons over violations. That left the program reeling for years to come.
Still, Pete Carroll’s record is fairly undeniable. He can certainly coach, so it would be no surprise to see reciprocal interest from some NFL organizations.