Frustrated Pete Carroll abruptly leaves news conference after loss, though he returned later
Pete Carroll is usually in a good mood and accommodating to the media. Carroll doesn't lose often, either.
After another Seattle Seahawks loss pushed his team's record to 3-7, Carroll came to his postgame briefing with the media and didn't give an opening statement, which longtime Seahawks reporters couldn't remember happening before. Then came something they all agreed hadn't happened before: Carroll walked off during the media conference after about eight minutes, saying “I’m really done, I’m done," in the middle of a question and leaving, via Brady Henderson of ESPN.
Seahawks beat reporters said on Twitter they couldn't recall Carroll ever doing that. This is his 12th season coaching the team.
Carroll did return later to answer questions. He said he respected the media and felt bad walking out. That was a professional thing to do, in line with how Carroll has represented the Seahawks during his time there, but it was hard for him to hide his frustration.
Pete Carroll returns to take more questions. Says “I’m not any good at this” meaning losing.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 22, 2021
A lot of the questions after the 23-13 loss were about a faltering offense. Russell Wilson has been back for two games since finger surgery and the Seahawks have scored one touchdown in those two games. Carroll said the team tried to run it often early to get in a rhythm (which may have been a problem in itself) but they weren't executing, especially on third down. He seemed exasperated trying to explain the problems with the offense.
"We have to do better, we have to coach better," Carroll said, before leaving the news conference the first time. "We have to coach them better and they have to find their way, Russ has got to find his way, we have to catch the ball when we have our chances. It's everything, but it starts with me."
Carroll was asked what Wilson is doing since his return that he wasn't doing before the injury.
"I don't have an answer for that," Carroll said.
Carroll hasn't had a losing season since 2011, the year before Wilson was drafted. The Seahawks would have to go 6-1 the rest of the season to avoid a losing season.
Everyone is used to Carroll being upbeat and optimistic. We're also used to the Seahawks winning and being in playoff contention, and that's not happening this season.
