Raiders Fire Pete Carroll, Kick Off Coaching Shakeup in Las Vegas
Raiders Relieve Pete Carroll of Head Coaching Duties
The Las Vegas Raiders have fired legendary coach Pete Carroll after just one disappointing season, marking the end of his brief tenure with the Silver and Black. Hired last January on a three-year deal following a year away from football, the 74-year-old Carroll promised immediate cultural transformation but delivered a league-worst 3-14 record, clinching the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.[1][2]
A Season of Struggles and Tough Choices
Las Vegas endured a 10-game losing skid before a final 14-12 upset over the Kansas City Chiefs. Issues plagued the team, including turnovers under quarterback Geno Smith, a porous defense, and midseason firings of coordinators Tom McMahon and Luke Getsy. Owner Mark Davis cited the need for renewed leadership, retaining GM John Spytek to spearhead football operations alongside minority owner Tom Brady.[1][4]
Looking Ahead to a New Era
This marks the Raiders' fourth coaching change in four years since relocating to Las Vegas. Spytek emphasized building sustainably, leveraging the top draft pick for franchise-altering talent. As the search begins, fans anticipate a fresh vision to end the cycle of instability and restore contention.[2][5]
About the People Mentioned
Pete Carroll
Pete Carroll, born September 15, 1951, in San Francisco, California, is a veteran American football coach renowned for his success across college and professional levels.[1][6] He is one of only three coaches to win both a Super Bowl and a college football national championship, achieving the former with the Seattle Seahawks and the latter at the University of Southern California (USC).[1][2] Carroll's coaching career began in the NFL as defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills (1984) and Minnesota Vikings (1985-1989), followed by defensive coordinator roles with the New York Jets (1990-1993) and San Francisco 49ers (1995-1996).[1][3] He served as head coach for the Jets (1994, 6-10 record), New England Patriots (1997-1999, 27-21 record with two playoff appearances), and Seahawks (2010-2023, 137-89-1 record).[1][2][3] With Seattle, he also held the title of executive vice president of football operations, leading the team to its first Super Bowl victory in 2013 (43-8 over Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII), a Super Bowl appearance in 2014, and multiple division titles, including as the first 7-9 team to win one.[1][2][5] He became the Seahawks' all-time wins leader in 2018 and earned a spot on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.[1] At USC (2001-2009), Carroll compiled a 97-19 record, secured seven straight Pac-10 titles (2002-2008), two national championships (2003-2004), and a 34-game winning streak, with 53 players drafted to the NFL, including 14 first-round picks.[1][3] Known for his inclusive leadership style, he was fired from the Seahawks on January 10, 2024.[1][2] As of 2025, Carroll serves as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, bringing 170 career NFL head coaching wins and 18 seasons of experience to the role.[4]
Geno Smith
Geno Smith, born Eugene Cyril Smith III on October 10, 1990, in Miramar, Florida, is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the Las Vegas Raiders of the NFL.[1][4][5][7][8] He rose to prominence at West Virginia University, where he started 39 of 44 games from 2009 to 2012, compiling a 26-13 record with 11,662 passing yards, 98 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions.[2][3][4] In 2011, he earned Discover Orange Bowl MVP honors, setting multiple bowl records in a 70-33 win over Clemson, including six passing touchdowns and 407 passing yards.[3] Selected by the New York Jets in the second round (39th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft, Smith debuted as a rookie, becoming the first Jets quarterback to throw for 300-plus yards in a game (331 vs. Buffalo).[1][2][3][4] His early career included stints with the Jets (2013-2016), New York Giants (2017, where he became the first Black starter for the franchise), and Los Angeles Chargers (2018).[1][4] He signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2019, re-signing in 2022, and emerged as their full-time starter.[2][4] Smith's breakout came in 2022, when he led the NFL in completion percentage (69.8%), set a Seahawks single-season passing record with 4,282 yards, and earned Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year, PFWA Comeback Player of the Year, PFWA Most Improved Player, and his first Pro Bowl selection.[1][2][4][7] He repeated as a Pro Bowl honoree in 2023 and broke his own Seahawks yardage record in 2024 with 4,320 yards.[2] Since 2022, he ranks top-five in NFL completion percentage (68.5%) and passing yards (12,226), with 27 wins as a starter.[7] As of 2026, at age 35 and in his 13th NFL season, Smith brings veteran leadership to the Raiders, with career stats including over 19,000 passing yards and 105 touchdowns through 2024.[2][5][8] (298 words)
Tom Brady
Tom Brady is a retired American football quarterback widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NFL history.[1] He played 23 professional seasons, primarily with the New England Patriots (2000–2019) and later the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2022).[4] Brady won seven Super Bowl championships—six with the Patriots and one with the Buccaneers—the most by any individual player in NFL history.[2] He holds multiple all-time NFL records including career pass completions (7,753), passing yards (89,214), and passing touchdowns (649).[1] Brady was a three-time Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player (2007, 2010, 2017) and a five-time Super Bowl MVP.[2] He was selected to 15 Pro Bowls and earned multiple All-Pro honors during his career.[3] After being a sixth-round pick (199th overall) in the 2000 NFL Draft out of the University of Michigan, Brady became the long-term starter for Bill Belichick’s Patriots and helped build a dynasty that included nine AFC championships and 17 division titles.[4] In 2020 he signed with the Buccaneers and led them to a Super Bowl victory in his first season with the team.[3] Brady announced his retirement from playing after the 2022 season, finishing with the most regular-season wins (251) and numerous postseason records including most playoff wins (35) and most Super Bowl appearances (10).[2][4] Since retiring, he has remained publicly active through business ventures, media appearances, and an announced role in sports media and entertainment projects (post-career activities reported in sports media coverage).[6] Brady’s legacy centers on his longevity, postseason success, statistical records, and influence on quarterback preparation and leadership in the modern NFL.[1][3]
About the Organizations Mentioned
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders are a professional American football team based in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division. The team plays its home games at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, and is headquartered in Henderson, Nevada. ### History Founded on January 30, 1960, the Raiders were originally based in Oakland, California. They began as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL) and transitioned to the NFL with the AFL–NFL merger in 1970. The team moved to Los Angeles from 1982 to 1994 before returning to Oakland until 2019. In 2017, the NFL approved the Raiders' move to Las Vegas, and they officially relocated in 2020. ### Key Achievements The Raiders have had several notable achievements, including three Super Bowl victories (XI, XV, and XVIII). They have also appeared in numerous playoff games throughout their history. ### Current Status As of the 2025 season, the Raiders are currently ranked fourth in the AFC West with a 2-5 record. They are led by head coach Antonio Pierce and owned by Carol and Mark Davis. The team continues to evolve with new players and strategies, focusing on improving their performance in the competitive NFL landscape. ### Notable Aspects - **Stadium and Facilities**: Allegiant Stadium, their home venue, is a state-of-the-art facility known for its unique design and amenities. - **Draft and Roster**: Recent drafts have seen the selection of promising players like Decamerion Richardson and Tommy Eichenberg, who are expected to contribute to the team's defense. - **Community Engagement**: The Raiders are actively involved in local community initiatives, fostering a strong connection with Las Vegas residents. While the Raiders are not typically associated with business or technology news, their organizational structure and community engagement efforts make them a significant part of
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. Established in 1960, the team competes in the National Football League (NFL) and is a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division. Here is a comprehensive overview of the organization: ## Organization and Business As a sports organization, the Chiefs are primarily involved in managing and operating a football team, including player recruitment, training, and game operations. The team is owned by the Hunt family, led by Clark Hunt, and is managed under the leadership of Head Coach Andy Reid. The Chiefs play their home games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, known for its electric atmosphere and record-breaking crowd noise levels. ## History The Chiefs have a rich history, having won four Super Bowl titles, including Super Bowl IV, Super Bowl LIV, Super Bowl LVII, and several division championships. The team has been successful under the guidance of notable coaches like Hank Stram and Andy Reid. The Chiefs are celebrated for their iconic red and gold uniforms and their passionate fan base. ## Key Achievements - **Super Bowl Titles**: The Chiefs have won four Super Bowls, with recent victories in 2020 and 2023. - **Division Championships**: They have won numerous AFC West division titles. - **Record-Breaking Crowd**: In 2014, Chiefs fans set the world record for loudest crowd noise at 142.2 decibels. ## Current Status As of the 2025 season, the Chiefs are competing in the AFC West alongside teams like the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers. They currently have a roster featuring key players such as quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and wide receiver Kadarius Toney. The team is working to maintain its competitive edge while adapting to changes in the NFL landscape. ## Notable Aspects - **Innovative Stadium**: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium is one of the
NFL
## Overview of the NFL The National Football League (NFL) is the preeminent professional American football organization in the United States, renowned for its massive influence on sports, entertainment, and business. With 32 teams divided between the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC), the NFL organizes a 17-game regular season culminating in a single-elimination playoff and the Super Bowl—the most-watched annual sporting event in the U.S.[2] ## History and Evolution Founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA) in Canton, Ohio, the league initially comprised teams primarily from the Midwest and Northeast[1][3]. It was renamed the National Football League in 1922 and faced early instability, surviving competition from rival leagues such as the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and multiple iterations of the American Football League (AFL)[2]. By the 1950s, the NFL had established a monopoly on professional football in the U.S., with only the Canadian Football League (CFL) operating independently in Canada[2]. The most significant development in NFL history was the 1966 merger agreement with the AFL, which led to a common draft and the creation of the Super Bowl as a championship game between the two league champions[1][2]. The leagues fully merged in 1970, reorganizing into the AFC and NFC and cementing the NFL’s dominance in American professional sports[1][2]. ## Key Achievements and Innovations The NFL pioneered lucrative television contracts, transforming football into a national pastime and a major media event. The league’s adoption of revenue-sharing and salary caps fostered competitive balance, helping small-market teams remain viable[2]. The NFL has also been a leader in sports technology, implementing instant replay, advanced player tracking, and digital platforms for fan engagement. Notable achievements include the expansion to 32 teams, the internationalization of the game through game
