When Bill Belichick made his return to the football coaching ranks recently, his son Steve quickly followed suit, departing the University of Washington staff to join him at North Carolina. There was no hesitation; Steve rejoined his father, maintaining a coaching legacy closely intertwined with his family’s NFL dynasty. The move raised the question: could a similar scenario play out with Pete Carroll and his son Brennan?
On Friday, Pete Carroll, the legendary former Seattle Seahawks head coach, was named the new head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. After a year away from football following his dismissal from the Seahawks, Carroll signed a three-year contract to lead the Raiders. This development casts uncertainty over Brennan Carroll’s future, as the younger Carroll spent the 2024 season as Washington’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach under Jedd Fisch.
The Carrolls and the Belichicks share notable parallels in their coaching journeys, yet their approaches differ significantly. Both families saw the elder coaches frequenting Washington Huskies practices in 2024, where Brennan Carroll served as the offensive coordinator and Steve Belichick as the defensive coordinator under Fisch. Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick, both potential Hall of Fame NFL coaches, were regulars at Montlake, often mingling with players, chatting with Fisch, and observing practices from the sidelines. Fisch’s strategy of hiring second-generation coaches from these renowned families was a masterstroke, leveraging their NFL pedigrees to enhance Washington’s recruiting pitch of “becoming pros.”
Despite their shared legacy, the Belichicks and Carrolls have taken divergent paths. Steve Belichick, 37, has spent nearly his entire coaching career under his father, working with the New England Patriots from 2012 to 2023 before taking a solo stint at Washington in 2024 while his father was temporarily out of the NFL. However, Steve’s independence was short-lived; he quickly reunited with his father at North Carolina as defensive coordinator after just one season in Seattle.
Brennan Carroll, 45, has taken a more independent path, building his resume with roles outside his father’s shadow. He spent four seasons coaching at Miami (2011–2014) before joining Jedd Fisch at Arizona in 2021 and later moving to Washington in 2024. Prior to his college coaching career, Brennan worked under his father for 15 of his 23 years as a coach, including stints with the Seattle Seahawks and USC Trojans. While Steve Belichick has rarely ventured beyond his father’s teams, Brennan has taken opportunities to establish himself independently, earning credibility as a college coach.
However, with Pete Carroll now leading the Raiders, the prospect of reuniting with his father could alter Brennan’s trajectory. While Brennan has been instrumental in rebuilding Washington’s offensive line, he may consider one last opportunity to work alongside his father. Pete Carroll, at 73, is likely nearing the end of his coaching career, making the Las Vegas job potentially his final stop. The father-son duo previously shared success, winning two national championships at USC, though Brennan missed out on the Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory in 2014, as he was coaching at Miami at the time.
Despite the allure of reuniting, Brennan’s next move is uncertain. Unlike Steve Belichick, Brennan has not been a primary play-caller, which could limit his chances of becoming the Raiders’ offensive coordinator. A move to Las Vegas as an offensive line coach would represent a lateral step in his career. At Washington, he has developed strong chemistry with Fisch and has taken on the significant challenge of reconstructing the Huskies’ offensive line after losing several starters.
If Brennan were to leave for the Raiders, it would have ripple effects on the Huskies’ coaching staff. Quarterbacks coach Jimmie Dougherty would be a strong candidate to step into the offensive coordinator role, while Fisch would need to quickly identify a new offensive line coach. Meanwhile, Brennan would face a different kind of challenge in Las Vegas, where the Raiders’ offensive line allowed 50 sacks in 2024.
The Belichick and Carroll coaching dynasties remain intertwined with the NFL and college football, but their paths illustrate two distinct philosophies. While the Belichicks prioritize staying close-knit, the Carrolls have shown a willingness to branch out, pursuing individual success before potentially reuniting for one final chapter in their storied football journey.
