« on: January 09, 2010, 11:07:15 AM »
Pete Carroll has reached an agreement with the Seahawks on a deal to be their next head coach, multiple NFL sources confirmed early Saturday morning.
Carroll was fully expected to be introduced by the Seahawks as early as Monday, assuming they comply with the Rooney Rule this weekend.
The hangup could be locating a candidate to interview that would put the Seahawks in compliance with the rule, which requires teams to interview a minority candidate for head-coaching hires.
On Friday, Jim Mora became the first Seahawks coach to be let go after one season.
Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier could agree to interview, but he is unwilling to do so if Carroll has been promised full control of the Seahawks -- and multiple sources say he has.
Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke told Frazier that Carroll definitely does not have Seattle's job.
Miller on USC
Why would Carroll leave USC for Seattle, a franchise that has been sagging since a Super Bowl appearance in 2006? ESPN.com Pac-10 blogger Ted Miller looks at potential reasons. Blog
Believing Leiweke, Frazier will interview for the Seahawks head coach job Saturday morning.
Seattle also contacted the agent for Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, but as of Saturday morning nothing had been set up.
But the bottom line is, Carroll's agreement with Seattle is "100 percent done," one NFL source close to the situation said.
In a text message to ESPN's Chris Mortensen on Friday, Carroll said, "You know I haven't responded to a NFL question in two years."
But a league source told Mortensen that Carroll was trying to persuade USC offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates to join him in Seattle -- as opposed to Bates pursuing the same position with the Chicago Bears.
Carroll is no stranger to the NFL, having served as the head coach for the Patriots from 1997-99 and for the Jets in 1994.
He was the Jets' defensive coordinator from 1990-93 after stints as the defensive backs coach for the Vikings (1985-89) and Bills (1984).
Sando on Mora
ESPN.com NFC West blogger Mike Sando has thoughts, analysis and more on the firing of Seattle coach Jim Mora. Blog
Mora attended a meeting Friday morning with management, at which time he was told by Leiweke, the Seahawks' CEO, that he did not win enough games to save his job.
The Seahawks ended the season on a four-game losing streak to finish 5-11.
Mora was shocked by his dismissal, believing that when he was called to Leiweke's office that he would be in a discussion about the team's vacant general manager's job, Seahawks sources told Mortensen.
"This team, more importantly this community, means so much to me that it hurts not being able to see this through," Mora said in a team-issued statement. "I am disappointed I did not get the chance to complete my contract. This is a tough business that sometimes demands immediate gratification."
« Last Edit: January 09, 2010, 11:07:58 AM by jadennis »
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