Raiders eyeing former USC, Super Bowl-Winning coach as top candidate

The Las Vegas Raiders are among the NFL teams still searching for a new head coach after Ben Johnson accepted the Chicago Bears' offer on Monday. Johnson, considered one of the hottest names on the coaching market, leaves the Raiders and others scrambling to find their next leader.

Now, according to The Athletic, the Raiders have shifted their focus to a coach with a storied resume: Pete Carroll. The former USC Trojans and Seattle Seahawks head coach is reportedly their top option to fill the vacancy.

Last week, Carroll met in person with the Raiders (per NBC Sports), alongside fellow former NFL head coaches Robert Saleh and Ron Rivera. While many expected Carroll’s initial interest to be centered on the Chicago Bears job, he has remained active in the coaching carousel since.

Carroll, 73, boasts a remarkable coaching pedigree. During his nine-season tenure at USC, he guided the Trojans to a 97-19 record, including two national championships and seven top-five finishes. However, his time in Los Angeles was not without controversy, as NCAA violations led to the infamous Reggie Bush scandal and sanctions for the program.

His success carried over to the NFL, where he spent 14 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Carroll amassed a 137-89-1 record, secured a Super Bowl victory in 2013, and led Seattle to another appearance the following year. His defensive philosophy and player-friendly approach cemented him as one of the league’s most respected figures.

For the Raiders, Carroll's championship experience at both the collegiate and professional levels could be exactly what they need to reinvigorate their franchise. While some may question Carroll's age or potential return to coaching after stepping away, his resume speaks for itself.

Las Vegas will likely be thorough in its search, but if Carroll takes the reins, it would signal a bold move toward revitalizing a storied franchise looking to reclaim its place among the NFL’s elite.