Pete Carroll
Pete Carroll is already assembling his Seattle Seahawks coaching staff.
Carroll is trying to coax current USC offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates into joining him in the NFL according an ESPN report. The Bears have also been speaking with Bates about joining their franchise in that same position.
The Trojan head coach is close to reaching a five-year contract worth $35 million with the Seattle club.
A source close to the USC athletic department told ESPN that the deal between Carroll and the Seahawks was “going down.”
Carroll and team CEO Tod Leiweke will work together to hire a GM shortly after this deal is finalized.
The power situation in Seattle will likely be similar to that of the Washington Redskins where Mike Shanahan has “ultimate say” over football moves, but also has a general manager.
Carroll, meanwhile, isn’t denying the rumors, nor is he confirming them. He’s simply not answering questions about them.
“You know I haven’t responded to a NFL question in two years,” Carroll texted to ESPN.
The team is still scheduled to interview Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier on Saturday in Minnesota.