Pete Carroll’s coaching career has been a diverse one, and though he experienced some success during his three-year stint in New England, he believes certain limitations restrained him.
“I think I learned a lot. I think I learned a lot of things,” Carroll said Tuesday at Super Bowl Media Day, via WEEI. “Robert (Kraft) and his family are a great family to play and coach for. But I also learned what it takes for a person like myself to operate at my highest level and I also realized some limitations that were going on that kept me from being the kind of coach I could be. It allowed me to refocus and formalize some plans that I was able to put in at USC and then at the Seahawks.”
Carroll took the Patriots to the playoffs in his first two seasons after replacing Bill Parcells, but when New England’s 1998 season ended with an 8-8 record and no playoff berth, the team decided to change coaches.
While Carroll’s success with the Patriots pales in comparison to the coach who preceded him (as well as the coach who replaced him), he’s proven himself at the highest level with the Seahawks. And while the coach always will be remembered as amiable and good natured, a Seattle win on Super Bowl Sunday would validate his style and ability.
