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NFL Coach Power Rankings: Where Jay Gruden fits in among the 32 coaches

By Jacob Camenker

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 29: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins talks with quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/ Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 29: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins talks with quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/ Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 31: Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll shouts from the sidelines during the first half of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at CenturyLink Field on December 31, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 31: Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll shouts from the sidelines during the first half of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at CenturyLink Field on December 31, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images) /

. Head Coach. Seattle Seahawks. Pete Carroll. 12. player. 36

Pete Carroll is one of the hardest coaches to grade in the whole league. He is overrated as a coach. His ability to make quick, correct decisions on the field will always be questioned. Nobody will ever forget the decision to pass the ball on the goal line in Super Bowl 49. There are some positives to him as a coach, but that mistake will cost him a shot at the top 10.

That said, for all his strategic deficiencies, Carroll is one of the better motivators in the league. When watching the Seahawks play, they always put forth effort, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Carroll just knows how to communicate with players and he has built a solid locker room culture.

In Carroll’s early days with the Seahawks, he completely remade a team and took a unique approach to creating a stellar defense. While GM John Schneider added quality personnel, Carroll was on the field working in practice, and he introduced the team to mindfulness and meditation. That created a zen atmosphere where the players and coaches alike thrived. And that’s what led them to a Super Bowl title.

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    • In recent seasons, the lax attitude has led to some discord when the team hasn’t played well, but the fact of the matter is that Carroll and the Seahawks are able to let tough losses go. That’s how they are able to move on week after week and still put forth solid effort.

    Carroll also deserves praise for giving his players opportunities to prove themselves. He wasn’t afraid to start undersized rookie Russell Wilson over prized free agent add Matt Flynn in 2012, and that changed the direction of the franchise. The meritocracy employed allows more unheralded players and later draft picks to earn starting roles. Aside from Wilson, names like Richard Sherman, Thomas Rawls, and Doug Baldwin come to mind.

    While Carroll has a solid program in place for players, he himself isn’t great at developing talent. In recent years, the Seahawks have struggled to find talented players to sustain success, and some of that falls on Carroll and his coaching staff. In particular, the team’s failure to upgrade the offensive line and develop prospects there has hurt the Seahawks.

    Carroll comes with concerns. But he also has won a Super Bowl and has qualified for the postseason in 6-of-8 years with the franchise. He is one of the better player’s coaches in the league too. He’s definitely a flawed candidate, but he belongs in the top 12 for sure. Some may just be weary of his style due to the Seahawks’ perceived lack of success in 2017.

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