'Old Man' Pete Carroll Is About To Coach Circles Around The AFC West

Carroll’s impact on the Raiders will go beyond Xs and Os. He’s more of a CEO now; he’s assembled one of the more respectable coaching staffs we’ve seen since the team moved to Las Vegas. No, what will change under Carroll is the culture. Every stop that he’s made, this is what he does: he instills a mindset, a winning attitude, and he does this by leading by example.

The Raiders will soon be revitalized under Carroll

Most recently at Raiders rookie minicamp, you saw that on display; the enthusiasm hasn’t wavered. In fact, Carroll, better than anyone the Raiders have had in the last few years, understands the importance of laying a foundation with the youth. To undo years of losing and ineptitude, you have to turn the page. A “hard reset,” but at the same time, acknowledging that you must remain competitive. That’s why you bring in Geno Smith and draft Ashton Jeanty; you’re showing your team that mediocrity won’t be tolerated.

However, let’s get this clear: he’s not just some cheerleader. He’s proven time and time again he can construct a potent defense. Carroll  has done it at every stop and it won’t be any different with the Raiders. He’s working with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, a coach who was retained despite Carroll’s hiring—the former Seahawks coach understands the key to turning around a program isn’t to necessarily clean house. Instead, you should challenge those who are deserving of your time and push them to the next level.

73, 74—it doesn’t matter; Pete Carroll knows to challenge and inspire and if you take a look at Raiders history this century, there hasn’t been a lot of that. That’s going to change.