*By Jack Emerson | February 1, 2025, 2:35 PM*
After a two-year break from coaching, Pete Carroll, a national championship and Super Bowl-winning head coach, is making his return to the sidelines. In January, Carroll agreed to take over as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, likely marking the final chapter of his storied coaching career. While Carroll is best known for his legendary tenures at USC and with the Seattle Seahawks, it’s easy to overlook his brief but impactful stint at Ohio State as the secondary coach in 1979—a season that helped shape his coaching legacy.
Carroll joined Earle Bruce’s staff at Ohio State after following him from Iowa State, where he had served in the same role in 1978. Bruce took over the Buckeyes program following the dismissal of Woody Hayes, and Carroll quickly made his mark on the team’s defense. Under his guidance, the Ohio State secondary became a cornerstone of one of the nation’s most dominant defensive units.
The 1979 Buckeyes enjoyed a stellar 11-0 regular season, highlighted by a thrilling 18-15 victory over Michigan that clinched the Big Ten title. The game’s defining moment came in the fourth quarter when safety Todd Bell returned a blocked punt for the game-winning touchdown. This victory secured Ohio State’s No. 1 ranking in the AP Poll and earned them a trip to the Rose Bowl.
In Pasadena, the Buckeyes faced a formidable USC team led by Heisman Trophy winner Charles White and featuring future Pro Football Hall of Famers Marcus Allen, Ronnie Lott, Bruce Matthews, and Anthony Muñoz. Despite holding a late fourth-quarter lead, Ohio State fell just short of a national championship as White orchestrated an 83-yard game-winning drive, handing the Buckeyes a heartbreaking 17-16 loss. The defeat ultimately allowed No. 2 Alabama, who defeated Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl, to claim the national title.
Carroll’s impact on the Buckeyes’ defense was undeniable. The unit allowed just 10.5 points per game, ranking seventh nationally, and recorded 18 interceptions, including one pick-six. During a six-game stretch in the middle of the season, Ohio State held opponents to single-digit scoring and posted shutouts against Michigan State and Wisconsin.
Carroll’s success at Ohio State catapulted him into the national spotlight, and he soon landed his first coordinator role as defensive coordinator at North Carolina State. After three seasons with the Wolfpack, he returned to his alma mater, Pacific University, to serve in the same capacity. From there, Carroll’s career soared, leading to head coaching positions with the New York Jets, New England Patriots, USC Trojans, and Seattle Seahawks.
Carroll’s rise mirrored that of other former Earle Bruce assistants, including Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, and Jim Tressel, all of whom went on to achieve great success in the coaching world.
Reflecting on his time at Ohio State, Carroll fondly recalled a brief but memorable encounter with Woody Hayes. “I saw Coach Hayes walking down the sidewalk across the parking lot. I’d never seen him before, so I dropped everything and ran over to meet him,” Carroll shared. “We walked for about 10 minutes, and he knew who I was. We talked football. That was my one chance to visit with him, and it was a really special moment with a man who had such a profound impact on the game.”
Though his time in Columbus was short, Carroll’s contributions to the 1979 Buckeyes remain a significant part of his remarkable coaching journey.
