Carroll and Shanahan to reconnect on Sunday
Two coaches known for their ability to be innovative
RENTON, Wash. • Chapter 5 of Pete Carroll’s book Win Forever is all about the decision he made in 1995 that eventually landed him a gig as the defensive co-ordinator in San Francisco and helped frame his coaching philosophies moving forward.
The chapter is titled, The 49ers Way. It was one phone call away from having nothing to do with San Francisco and all about Carroll joining up with Mike Shanahan in Denver.
“I thought I was going with Mike. I was really thrilled, after getting bounced with the Jets, that somebody called,” Carroll recalled this week.
Once nearly co-workers in Denver, Carroll and Shanahan will reconnect Sunday when the Redskins host the Seahawks in the NFC playoffs.
While most of the attention has fallen on the two rookie quarterbacks — Washington’s Robert Griffin III and Seattle’s Russell Wilson — the coaches involved in this playoff matchup are respected for their abilities to be different and innovative on the offensive side (Shanahan) or on the defensive side (Carroll).
Their outward personas might be drastically different, but their ability to scheme and coach seem to be without question.
“I think you’ve got to be yourself and that’s what Pete has done. He’s been himself,” Shanahan said. “Everyone knows the type of job he did at Southern Cal. He’s a guy that is very enthusiastic in everything he does and a good friend.”