Pete Carroll: 5 Most Memorable Moments of His Seahawks Coaching Career

Pete Carroll - Pittsburgh Steelers v Seattle Seahawks

(Photo : Jane Gershovich/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks looks on during the first half of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lumen Field on December 31, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.

The Seattle Seahawks have officially announced the conclusion of Pete Carroll's tenure as the head coach of the team.

The 72-year-old mentored the team for 14 seasons, guiding them to their first Super Bowl victory in 2013. Despite stepping down from the head coaching role, Carroll will continue to be involved with the team in an advisory capacity.

Let's look at the most memorable moments of Carroll's coaching tenure in Seattle.

5 Most Memorable Moments of Pete Carroll's Seahawks Coaching Career

1. Beast Quake

Carroll's inaugural season with the team proved remarkable, highlighted by the "Beast Quake" play during their NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the reigning Super Bowl champions New Orleans Saints.

In a crucial moment during the fourth quarter with Seattle leading by four points, running back Marshawn Lynch rushed for 67 yards, breaking nine tackles to score a touchdown.

This play secured the Seahawks' upset victory with a final score of 41-36 and eliminated the defending champions.

The term "Beast Game" is derived from Lynch's nickname, "Beast Mode," and the celebration by Seahawks fans was so intense that it registered on a nearby seismograph.

2. Drafting Russell Wilson

The Seahawks chose quarterback Russell Wilson in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft with the 75th overall pick, a decision that would prove pivotal for the future of their franchise.

Initially facing criticism, especially after signing free agent Matt Flynn, Carroll and the team's choice of Wilson was instrumental.

Wilson emerged as a franchise signal caller, leading the team to significant heights.

3. A noisy Guinness World Record

The Seahawks fanbase is renowned for its passion, and as the sole NFL team in the Pacific Northwest region, the Seahawks draw support from a broader geographical area, including Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and even some Canadian provinces.

This enthusiasm was unmistakably displayed during a December 2013 game against the New Orleans Saints when the Seahawks set a Guinness World Record for the loudest crowd noise at a sporting event, reaching an impressive 137.6 decibels.

4. 2014 NFC Championship Game

Trailing 19-7 in the fourth quarter, the Seahawks staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in the 2014 NFC title game.

The Seahawks scored two touchdowns in 40 seconds following wide receiver Chris Matthews' recovery of an onside kick with just over two minutes left in the game, while Marshawn Lynch provided the Seahawks with the lead moments later on a 24-yard run.

Although the Packers rallied to force overtime, the Seahawks clinched the game, as well as their second NFC title and Super Bowl appearance in a row, when quarterback Russell Wilson connected with wide receiver Doug Baldwin for a 35-yard touchdown pass in overtime.

5. Super Bowl XLVIII victory

The Seahawks achieved the pinnacle of the NFL during the 2013 season, securing a dominant victory in Super Bowl XLVIII over the Denver Broncos with a score of 43-8 to win their first and only Super Bowl in franchise history so far. This triumph marked the peak of Carroll's tenure as head coach.

The impressive win featured two defensive scores and an 87-yard kickoff return by Percy Harvin, extending Seattle's lead to 29-0 at the beginning of the second half.