Raiders' Pete Carroll sets bold timeline for team's success after taking over as new head coach
Pete Carroll was introduced to the media for the first time as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, two days after officially being hired. During his introductory press conference, he proclaimed that he expects the franchise to turn things around quickly.
Speaking to the media, the one-time Super Bowl champion and one-time AP National Champion stated:
"You're all wondering about timelines and all that. It took us a few years to get to the very top of the last couple programs I was with. We're starting right now, going for it immediately. We don't have some time, and we got to make it five or six years down the road. That's not what we're thinking. We're going to start right now to go after it and build this team as quickly as we can."
Carroll continued:
"As [general manager] John [Spytek] saw Maxx [Crosby] back there, Maxx, send the message, man. We're coming after you. We're going to come find you guys and get this thing rolling as soon as possible, with the highest of expectations, with a mentality that will drive high performance in a way that hopefully everybody's going to hear us and they're going to know us and so I'm really proud to take on that challenge. So, thrilled to be here. Thanks again."
The Raiders finished the 2024 season 4-13 and will select sixth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. The franchise has had just two winning seasons and no postseason victories since reaching the Super Bowl in 2002. Carroll had just three seasons finishing under .500 and four seasons missing the postseason during his 14 years leading the Seattle Seahawks.
Marshawn Lynch in attendance during Pete Carroll's introductory press conference
Pete Carroll was introduced as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday. Marshawn Lynch, who played for the Seattle Seahawks under Carroll and later for the Raiders, attended the press conference.
Raiders reporter Levi Edwards shared a photo of the five-time Pro Bowler to X, tweeting:
"There’s a random fan here at the Pete Carroll introductory press conference that broke into a Raiders chant. He looks pretty familiar, seems to be a fan of the #Raiders new head coach."
Check out the tweet from Levi Edwards below:
Carroll will have his hands full as he looks to lead the Raiders to just their third winning season since 2002. He will become the oldest coach in NFL history when the 2025 season begins.