It is the end of an era for the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawks announced on Wednesday that Pete Carroll would not return as their head coach for the 2024 season, despite Carroll saying earlier in the week that he intended to return for what would be his age-73 season.

But instead Carroll will now move upstairs to an advisory role.

A statement from Seahawks owner Jody Allen read: 

"After thoughtful consideration for the best interest of the franchise, we have amicably agreed with Pete Carroll that his role will evolve from head coach to remain with the organization as an advisor.

"Pete is the winningest coach in franchise history, brought the city its first Super Bowl title, and created a tremendous impact over the past 14 years on the field and in the community.

"His expertise in leadership and building a championship culture will continue as an integral part of our organization moving forward.

"Pete will always be a beloved member of the Seahawks family."

Carroll was hired as Seattle's head coach in 2010 and led them to a playoff win in his first season, albeit as a 7-9 NFC West champion, beating the New Orleans Saints in the Divisional Round thanks to Marshawn Lynch's famous 'Beast Quake' run.

After missing out in 2011, the Seahawks went to the playoffs in eight of the next nine seasons as Carroll built one of the most celebrated defenses in NFL history. Seattle ended its wait for a Super Bowl title in 2013 season with a rout of the Denver Broncos, and the Seahawks were only denied a repeat by Malcolm Butler's infamous goal-line interception for the New England Patriots.

Seattle won only three playoff games in its next seven appearances after that defeat and, while the Seahawks' success in staying competitive after the Russell Wilson trade by reinvigorating Geno Smith's career is admirable, the reality is they have fallen behind both the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West.

The gap to the Niners appeared to have widened in 2023 and, though Carroll insisted his week that the Seahawks were closer to contending for a Super Bowl after a second successive 9-8 season, the franchise clearly believes a new voice is needed to harness that potential.

Carroll had just three losing seasons in his tenure as Seahawks head coach, which he ends with a record of 137-89-1.

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