When the Las Vegas Raiders hired Pete Carroll as head coach, they knew exactly what they were signing up for.
Carroll has held down the fort for some of the best teams in the 21st century, including the USC Trojans and Seattle Seahawks. He established a culture of excellence at both locations, providing stability and experience that shined through in key moments.
However, while the Raiders want that for their own purposes, they are also realistic about what Carroll represents.
At 73 years old, Carroll will be the oldest coach in the NFL next season. Signing a three-year deal with a team option for a fourth, Carroll would be 77 years old by the time his contract reaches its end, and it would not be surprising to see him retire gracefully at that time.