Overshadowed by the firings of Bill Belichick and Mike Vrabel has been the shocking removal of Pete Carroll as Seattle Seahawks head coach.
Even more shocking is the fact that it looks like all THREE will remain jobless when the 2024 season kicks off.
Coaches who did not land jobs during this hiring cycle include Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll, Mike Vrabel, Aaron Glenn, Ben Johnson, Anthony Weaver, Eric Bieniemy, Ejiro Evero and Mike Kafka.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 1, 2024
However, San Francisco 49ers play-by-play announcer, Greg Papa, believes he has the perfect job for Carroll.
No, it’s not a head coaching job – but it’s the next best thing…
Defensive coordinator for the Niners!
It is possible that @PeteCarroll becomes the DC for the 49ers, and that is why Kyle did not commit to Wilks. Carroll knows the scheme and it will be a huge F U to the Seahawks who let him go. @RSherman_25 can join him on the coaching staff as Def pass game coordinator.…
— Lobs (@Lobs_All_Day) February 14, 2024
Appearing on “The Rich Eisen Show,” Papa told fill-in host Andrew Siciliano that Carroll would be a perfect fit the reigning NFC champions.
“I think Pete Carroll would be more of a natural fit, because with (Bill) Belichick, he likes to vary his fronts – it would be a very different defense,” Papa said, comparing the candidacies of Carroll and Belichick.
“What’s the best defense to run for Fred [Warner], Dre [Greenlaw], Nick [Bosa], Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir and Talanoa Hufanga? … That’s who you’re trying to serve.”
“The defense that the 49ers are running since Kyle [Shanahan] has been the head coach is [the] Seattle’s defense … [Carroll’s] the guy who did it,” Papa added.
Carroll would kick butt and chew bubblegum…
Like…
Lots of bubblegum. 😂
— C-Train Station! Sports Commentary/Analysis (@ctrainstation) February 19, 2024
Papa also noted that Carroll is from the Bay Area and that might pull an emotional string with Carroll…
“He’s from the Bay Area. He used to be the defensive coordinator of the 49ers. Pete’s from here. He’s from Marin, Greenbrae,” Papa said.
“Does Pete want to do that, though? … He’s been at the head coach level for 20 years. He hasn’t run a defense since he was with the 49ers in the mid-90’s,” he rightly wondered.
Come home Pete Carroll and run this god damn defense! The faithful want a Superbowl!!! ❤️💛 @49ers #49ers #faithfull #LFG @AroundTheNFL @NFL @PSchrags #PeteCarroll pic.twitter.com/duB2v4BvRB
— Matt V Miller (@Matt_Miller49) February 15, 2024
The potential hiring of Carroll would also add an intriguing dynamic to the heated 49ers-Seahawks NFC West rivalry, as Shanahan and Carroll have clashed numerous times over the years.
Shanahan’s familiarity with Carroll’s defensive schemes could make the former Seahawks coach an appealing choice to lead the 49ers defense.
"An interesting candidate [for 49ers' DC] would be Pete Carroll. It's a defense he's extraordinarily familiar with…I wouldn't be shocked if Kyle picked up the phone and asked Belichick and Carroll if this is something they'd be interested in."
– @peter_king w/ @WillardAndDibs. pic.twitter.com/kobQhp9LMZ
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) February 21, 2024
What do you think of Papa’s suggestion?
Would Carroll even want to be a defensive coordinator?
Or do you think he’s going to hold out for a head coaching job to come along???