Pete Carroll Net Worth

What is Pete Carroll's Net Worth and Salary?

Pete Carroll is an American football coach who has a net worth of $50 million and an annual salary of $15 million. Pete Carroll is best known for his long and successful tenure with the Seattle Seahawks and his earlier dominance at the University of Southern California (USC). Known for his energetic personality and upbeat coaching style, Carroll built a reputation as one of the most accomplished and resilient figures in modern football, achieving rare success at both the college and professional levels.

After early assistant coaching roles in college and the NFL, Carroll became head coach of the New York Jets in 1994 and later the New England Patriots from 1997 to 1999. His first two head coaching stints were short-lived, but they laid the groundwork for his eventual resurgence. In 2001, Carroll took over the USC football program, transforming it into a powerhouse. Under his leadership, USC won two national championships (one later vacated) and produced multiple Heisman Trophy winners, including Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, and Reggie Bush. Carroll's "Win Forever" philosophy emphasized competition, positivity, and relentless preparation, becoming a cornerstone of his coaching identity.

In 2010, Carroll returned to the NFL as head coach and executive vice president of the Seattle Seahawks. There, he built one of the league's most dominant defenses—the "Legion of Boom"—and guided the team to its first-ever Super Bowl victory in 2014 with a decisive win over the Denver Broncos. The following year, Seattle returned to the Super Bowl but lost in dramatic fashion to the New England Patriots. Carroll's Seahawks teams were consistent playoff contenders for over a decade, known for physical play and strong locker-room culture.

Pete Carroll, Jimmy Johnson, and Barry Switzer are the only three coaches to have won a Super Bowl and a college football national championship.

Salary

As the head coach and executive vice president of the Seattle Seahawks, Pete Carroll's salary was $15 million per year. He had been earning $8 million per year up until signing a five-year extension in 2020. Either way, he's come a long way from the $182 per week he earned when he first took an assistant coaching job at the University of Arkansas under coaching legend Lou Holtz.

Early Life

Pete Clay Carroll was born on September 15, 1951, in San Francisco, California, and raised in the nearby community of Greenbrae. From a young age, Carroll was known for his boundless energy and competitiveness, traits that would later define his coaching philosophy. At Redwood High School, he emerged as a multi-sport standout despite his relatively slight build. He played quarterback, defensive back, and wide receiver on the football team, while also excelling in basketball and baseball. His athletic versatility earned him the school's Athlete of the Year award as a senior.

After graduation, Carroll attended the College of Marin, where he continued to play football, before transferring to the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. There, he played free safety for two seasons and earned All-Pacific Coast honors. He graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Carroll briefly pursued a professional playing career and tried out for the World Football League, but his size and recurring shoulder problems ended those aspirations. He worked for a time selling roofing materials, but soon realized his passion was on the sidelines. Encouraged by his former college coach, Chester Caddas, Carroll returned to the University of the Pacific as a graduate assistant, launching what would become a decades-long coaching career.

Career

Carroll's first coaching position came at his alma mater, where he also earned a master's degree in physical education in 1976. His next major break came when legendary coach Lou Holtz hired him as a graduate assistant at the University of Arkansas. Over the next several years, Carroll built his résumé with positions at Iowa State, Ohio State, and North Carolina State, steadily developing a reputation for his defensive acumen and infectious enthusiasm. His success in the college ranks led him to the NFL, where he worked as a defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills and later the Minnesota Vikings, helping shape some of the league's top defenses.

In 1994, Carroll was named head coach of the New York Jets, but his tenure lasted only one season. He later joined the San Francisco 49ers as defensive coordinator before becoming head coach of the New England Patriots in 1997, replacing Bill Parcells. Though Carroll led the Patriots to a pair of playoff appearances, he was dismissed after three seasons.

Carroll's career took a dramatic turn in 2001 when he returned to college football as head coach of the USC Trojans. There, he built one of the most dominant programs in modern college football history. Under his leadership, USC captured two national championships, produced three Heisman Trophy winners, and became a recruiting juggernaut. His tenure ended in 2009 amid NCAA sanctions related to improper benefits, but Carroll remained widely credited for revitalizing the program and setting new standards for college success.

In 2010, Carroll returned to the NFL as head coach and executive vice president of the Seattle Seahawks. His upbeat culture and "Win Forever" philosophy transformed the franchise. Within four years, he guided the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl title with a 43–8 victory over the Denver Broncos. The following season, Seattle returned to the Super Bowl but lost a heartbreaker to the New England Patriots. Carroll remained one of the league's most respected coaches for over a decade, known for his positivity, defensive innovation, and player development. He stepped down from his role with the Seahawks after the 2023 season, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most successful and influential coaches in football history.

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Coaching Style

Pete Carroll is known for his aggressive, "all or nothing" coaching style, which has earned him the nickname "Big Balls Pete." He frequently chooses to "go for it" on fourth down instead of punting. After taking control of the Seahawks, Carroll earned significant praise for transforming the team's defensive strategy. The defense became known as the "Legion of Boom," which led the NFL in scoring defense for four years in a row.

From a more psychological standpoint, Carroll advocates clear thinking and "removing the clutter" from the sport. He is influenced by figures such as Carl Jung, Zen masters, and Buddhist meditation masters. Pete gained a reputation for being lighthearted during his time at USC, and he regularly staged pranks and special events to lighten the mood of his players. That said, he can also be incredibly strict. A good example of this is the fact that he closely controlled the diets of his players at USC.

Real Estate

In 2015, it was reported that Pete Carroll had sold his home in Hunts Point, a small town in the greater Seattle metropolitan area. He received $6.1 million for the property. Although this might seem like a major payday, it's important to note that he and his wife, Glena, purchased the property less than a year prior for $5.9 million. It was unclear why the Carrolls chose to move on so quickly, as they clearly didn't earn much of a return. The residence features three bedrooms and spans 3,860 square feet. Additional highlights include a detached guest suite, a moorage dock, and a private beach.

In 2016, Pete sold another home in Manhattan Beach, California. The beach cottage sold for $2.05 million, which was $50,000 more than the asking price. Spanning 1,200 square feet, the cottage offers exceptional ocean views, two bedrooms, and a brick patio. Carroll had been holding onto this residence for many years, as he originally purchased it back in 1999 for just $540,000. For some time, Pete was renting it out for $4,500 per month.

In 2017, Carroll sold yet another home in Rolling Hills, Washington. The $3.05-million off-market deal concluded three years of notable real estate transactions for Pete, and it seems as though he was in the mood to cash in on these investments. Set in a corner lot on a private street, the 1950s home features just one story. That being said, it is quite spacious, with 4,000 square feet of living space and four bedrooms. Highlights include cathedral-style vaulted ceilings, French doors, four fireplaces, and skylights. Outside, the home features a patio, a swimming pool, a putting green, a spa, and exceptional views of the surrounding greenbelt and park areas.

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