Pete Carroll joins Las Vegas Raiders as oldest head coach in NFL history

Pete Carroll returns to the NFL as head coach of the Raiders, making history as the oldest coach.

Pete Carroll is returning to the NFL sidelines after a brief hiatus, this time with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he will make history as the league's oldest active coach. 

According to ESPN, Carroll has signed a three-year deal with the Raiders, including a fourth-year team option. At 74, Carroll will surpass former Houston Texans interim head coach Romeo Crennel, who was 73 years and 199 days old when he coached his final game, making Carroll the oldest head coach in modern NFL history. Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid, at 66, previously held the title as the oldest active NFL coach.

Just in: Pete Carroll and the Raiders now have reached agreement on a three-year deal with a fourth-year team option, sources tell ESPN.

Another veteran legendary coach has returned. pic.twitter.com/Jc2J0EPo7N

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 24, 2025

Carroll, who was pushed out by the Seattle Seahawks after last season, had spent this year teaching a course at the University of Southern California, where he previously coached and led the Trojans to two national championships. Before finalizing his deal with the Raiders, Carroll had interviewed for the head coach positions with the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys.

During his 14 years with the Seahawks, Carroll led the team to 10 playoff appearances and its only Super Bowl title. However, after a second consecutive 9-8 season in 2023, Seattle decided to move in a different direction, hiring Mike Macdonald as their new head coach.

Carroll’s hiring is part of a larger overhaul within the Raiders organization. The team also appointed Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant GM John Spytek as their new general manager. With former quarterback Tom Brady now a part-owner, owner Mark Davis is looking to rebuild, with a focus on securing a young quarterback, a priority for the team with the No. 6 overall pick and significant cap space heading into the offseason.