NFL insider says Las Vegas Raiders ‘wound up with Pete Carroll’ after 1st choice showed no interest in head coach job

NFL insider says Las Vegas Raiders ‘wound up with Pete Carroll’ after 1st choice showed no interest in head coach job
Sportsnaut Sportsnaut

A surprising new report suggests that a coach the Las Vegas Raiders never even interviewed for their head coach opening was their top choice this offseason.

Despite being 73 years old, the general opinion around the NFL was that legendary Seattle Seahawks and USC coach Pete Carroll was a good choice to take over their program. He has a national championship and Super Bowl win on his resume. A 170-120 career NFL record, and the sort of swagger that fits right in with Raiders culture.

However, according to The Athletic’s Mike Jones, Carroll was not even close to their first choice to be their next head coach.

While the news could be viewed as negative, the Raiders landed on Jones’ list of the biggest winners in the offseason. And part of the reason is the addition of Carroll.

Related: These three Las Vegas Raiders veterans could be cut if they don’t impress at training camp

Coen never interviewed for the Las Vegas job. Despite having previously worked closely with the team’s new general manager, John Spytek, when they were together in Tampa Bay the last few seasons. In the end, Coen chose to stay in Florida and become the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Related: Tom Brady reportedly said no to Las Vegas Raiders adding this Pro Bowl QB

More must-reads: