LAS VEGAS – The NFL’s coaching carousel has delivered a familiar rivalry to the AFC West, as Pete carroll and Jim Harbaugh are set to renew their decades-long competitive relationship as division rivals. Carroll officially became the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders on January 24, 2025, a year after Harbaugh accepted the head coaching position with the Los Angeles Chargers.
the pairing marks the latest chapter in a rivalry stretching back nearly two decades, encompassing college football’s most prominent stages and now, the professional ranks. Their history includes intense battles during their tenures at USC and Stanford, respectively, and continues with both coaches now leading teams in the same division, guaranteeing at least two matchups per season. The renewed competition arrives as Harbaugh returns to the NFL and Carroll embarks on a new chapter after 14 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, including a Super Bowl victory.
The rivalry began in the college ranks. while at USC (2000-2009), Carroll’s Trojans consistently dominated, often against Harbaugh’s Stanford Cardinal. Harbaugh, who took over at Stanford in 2007, famously upset the No. 1 ranked Trojans in 2007,24-23,a game considered one of the biggest upsets in college football history.
Their paths crossed again in the NFL when the Seattle Seahawks,under carroll,drafted Amara Darboh in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. Carroll, with a grin, remarked to reporters, “Coach Harbaugh does a great job.” Seahawks general manager John schneider playfully added, “What’s your deal, man?”
After 14 seasons with the Seahawks, which culminated in a Super Bowl title, Carroll and the team “mutually agreed to set a new course” on January 10, 2024, with Carroll transitioning to an advisory role. However, Carroll stated he “competed pretty hard” to remain Seattle’s coach, ultimately “going along with their intentions.” Team owner Jody Allen affirmed the decision was made “after thoughtful meetings and careful consideration for the best interest of the franchise.”
A year later, on January 24, 2025, Carroll accepted the Raiders’ head coaching position.Harbaugh acknowledged the long-standing competition, stating he believes they would have been “pretty good friends” had they ever played for or worked with each other, but conceded, “Alas, we have been on opposite sides. I’m not on his Christmas card list.” the AFC West is now bracing for a renewed and highly anticipated clash between two of football’s most prominent coaches.
