The Las Vegas Raiders have hired veteran coach Pete Carroll as their new head coach on a three-year deal, which includes a fourth-year option, marking a significant leadership change for the franchise.
Carroll, who turns 74 on September 15, 2025, will make history as the oldest head coach to lead an NFL team, surpassing the previous record held by Romeo Crennel, who was 73 years and 199 days old during his last game as interim coach of the Houston Texans.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the decision to bring Carroll on board follows the recent hiring of John Spytek as the Raiders’ general manager. This move is seen as part of the team's effort to rebuild after struggling with a 4-13 record last season. The Raiders have sought stability and experience, and Carroll fits the bill perfectly with his extensive coaching resume and proven track record.
Previously, Carroll served as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks from 2010 to 2023, leading them to 10 playoff appearances and capturing the franchise’s first and only Super Bowl championship during the 2013 season. His record with Seattle stands impressive at 137 wins, 89 losses, and 1 tie, making him the winningest coach in Seahawks history.
After being relieved of his duties by Seattle, Carroll spent the 2024 season as a senior advisor with the team. He then briefly returned to the University of Southern California (USC) to teach, having previously led the Trojans to two national championships during his tenure there. Despite his detour back to college football, Carroll expressed clear intentions to return to coaching, stating, "I could coach tomorrow," underscoring his readiness for the demanding role of head coach.
For the Raiders, this hire symbolizes another step toward revitalization under new minority owner Tom Brady’s influence. Carroll, alongside Spytek, is set to reshape the team, which has been plagued by consistent struggles, including only two playoff appearances over the last two decades and no playoff victories since 2002.
The franchise has cycled through multiple head coaches, with Carroll now becoming the fifth permanent or interim coach since their relocation to Las Vegas from Oakland. This instability has made it imperative for the Raiders to find solid footing, and Carroll's history of turning organizations around could prove beneficial.
Carroll previously coached with the New York Jets and New England Patriots before his successful run with the Seahawks. His career record across four NFL franchises and USC stands at 181 wins, 131 losses, and 1 tie, and he is one of only three coaches to win both a college football national championship and the Super Bowl, sharing this elite status with Jim Harbaugh and Barry Switzer.
Despite capturing the Super Bowl title, Carroll's tenure is also remembered for the infamous Super Bowl XLIX loss to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, where Wilson's goal-line interception sealed the game. Now, Carroll faces the challenge of rebuilding the Raiders, who are coming off their worst season and are eager to return to relevance within the competitive AFC West.
The Raiders’ issues extend beyond selecting the right head coach. The organization holds the No. 6 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and boasts approximately $92 million in cap space. These assets could be pivotal as they look for their next franchise quarterback. Last season, the Raiders tried three different starting quarterbacks: Aidan O'Connell, Gardner Minshew II, and Desmond Ridder, none of whom showed enough promise to solidify their position for the next season.
Expectations are high for Carroll, who has successfully led rebuilding teams before, including the Seahawks, whom he led to the playoffs within his first year after taking over at Seattle, where they had previously finished with a 5-11 record. The Raiders are clearly hoping for similar success as they vie to transform their fortunes with Carroll at the helm.
With some promising young talents like tight end Brock Bowers, who set the rookie receptions record last season, and ample cap space for roster improvements, the future holds potential for the Raiders under Carroll's leadership.
Now faced with formidable challenges, including formidable competitors such as Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs, Sean Payton’s Denver Broncos, and Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers, Carroll’s challenge will not only be to revive the Raiders’ on-field performance but also to instill consistency and resilience within the franchise.