Becoming an NFL head coach is incredibly difficult. Only 32 people have the chance each year. What’s even harder is staying an NFL head coach for 18 seasons. That’s exactly what Pete Carroll has done, entering his 19th season as a head coach this time, with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025.
Carroll recently went viral after a video of him breaking down his coaching philosophy to college students resurfaced, and his former star cornerback Richard Sherman praised him in response.
Richard Sherman Praises Pete Carroll
In 2017, Carroll was a guest lecturer at USC, where he served as head coach from 2001 to 2007 and won national titles with the Trojans in 2003 and 2004.
Former Titans offensive lineman Taylor Lewan recently reshared a portion of the video on X, in which Carroll discusses his coaching style and approach to leadership.
“We’re trying to celebrate the individual with extraordinary commitment to practice,” Carroll said. “Practice is everything to us. We work our guys’ ass off. They work hard, they work fast, they compete, they battle every day, but they’re having a good time doing it because they know we’re supporting them.”
Pete Carroll is the man.
At his age, his mentality, and his attitude. Tough to beat.
— Taylor Lewan (@TaylorLewan77) August 1, 2025
Lewan’s reshare of the video went viral, garnering 1.3 million views and 10,000 likes. It caught the attention of Richard Sherman, who played under Carroll for seven seasons with the Seahawks.
Sherman praised Carroll in a post on X, saying that what Carroll described in the video is precisely what fueled the Seahawks’ success under the legendary head coach.
This is it! Why he is loved as a coach why he was able to get the most out of unique group of great talented men. Celebrates the unique qualities and abilities of each person. Great coach! https://t.co/mOsaQhSpsu
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) August 2, 2025
“This is it!” Sherman wrote. “Why he is loved as a coach why he was able to get the most out of unique group of great talented men. Celebrates the unique qualities and abilities of each person. Great coach!”
It is no secret that Carroll is good at his job. He is one of the most successful coaches in football history. Along with Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer, he is one of just three coaches to win both a Super Bowl and a National Championship.
The clip of Carroll and Sherman’s response provides insight into why Carroll has succeeded. Instead of simply coaching the team as a whole, he challenged and supported every individual player on his roster.
With each player, like Sherman, feeling valued, they gave everything they had on the field to help Carroll and the team win.
After taking the 2024–2025 season off from coaching, Carroll is returning to the sideline this year with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he will bring the same philosophy. If history indicates Carroll’s coaching style, there is no doubt the Raiders will succeed under his leadership.
