Pete Carroll continues focus on changing Raiders' culture

HENDERSON, Nev. — From the moment Pete Carroll walked through the doors of the Intermountain Health Performance Center in January, it has been about changing the culture of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Of course, each of his predecessors — Jon Gruden, Josh McDaniels and Antonio Pierce said the same thing. Losing will do that. But none of them succeeded in getting the Raiders back on track to where they are a perennial playoff team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.

So here’s Carroll, six-plus months on the job, doing what he has always done — leading with energy, being positive, encouraging his staff and players and paying strict attention to detail all while having fun in the process.

Will it work?

"There's so much, really,” Carroll said Tuesday after the Raiders spent the morning working indoors. “There's so much that we're doing from a day-to-day basis, going back to the messages that we started with, and setting the expectations and in the guidelines for how this is supposed to feel. And it is the feel part of what culture is really about. When you sense where you're supposed to be, how it's supposed to go, how we respond, what's expected and when the players embrace that, and they add their own little this' and thats' to it, now we're moving.
“We're moving in a good direction now. I can feel it, this is how it's supposed to feel, according to what I've experienced. And maybe even with stronger leadership early on. And the direction of this team, it's unknown right now. We don't know, I mean, I couldn't tell you anything, what's going to happen. But I do know they're going to be together, and I do know they're going to play for one another, and they're going to feel that connection that is so, so important to the culture and the effect of the culture on the performance. And really, it's about how we play, but it's the mentality that drives them to study and to work and to give it up for one another and to make the plays toughness-wise, because they have to, because we're counting on them. And that's all about this whole thing.

“So, I mean, there's so many aspects to it. It's ongoing, moment to moment, situation to situation. And I'm just trying to be right in the middle of all of it and keep giving them a format that they can embrace, and they can take to where we're capable of going."

The Raiders are into their second week of training camp and things are quickly turning into sharper focus. Carroll’s not afraid to make a move to move on from someone who doesn’t buy in, as was the case in releasing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. He’s also going to give rookies a shot to earn playing time and can live with mistakes as long as the newcomers learn from them and don’t constantly repeat them.

Defensive tackle Adam Butler said the players notice how things are different.

"It's been great. He's a great coach, great leader,” Butler said. “I love his approach. It's different. I love how if there's anything that's scrappy or controversial, the way that he goes about it isn't to necessarily pin guys against each other in a negative way. He makes it positive. Whether we shoot basketballs to shoot it off or have some silly competition, he takes the edge off.

“He makes it fun to be here, and I just think he's a great leader."

Carroll’s leaning on what has worked for him in the past, whether it was in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks or in college at USC. And while he will turn 74 in September, Carroll isn’t totally stuck in the old ways. He is trying to evolve with the game while remaining true to his principles developed over decades of coaching. He has talked about having used last year away from the sidelines to re-evaluate himself, the game and how he fits in with the way the NFL operates in 2025.

One thing Carroll is doing with the Raiders is leaning heavily on his coordinators — Chip Kelly on offense and Patrick Graham on defense. So far, he likes what he sees.

"There's two things. It's two guys. It's Chip and Pat,” he said. “I think those guys are off to a really good start with what we're trying to do here. Both sides of the ball are creative, and they're getting their message across. That's a lot of stuff we did (Tuesday) on both sides of the football. And so, I think those guys have taken their leadership opportunity and the challenge of Patrick's had to adapt to Coach Pete and they're bugging him all the time. And Chip’s office right next to mine. I'm in his office half the time bugging him too. And so, I appreciate that they're putting up with me, but I think they're really showing it.

“We had two huge play periods (Tuesday), they're calling it, and there's no script or nothing. They're calling plays on the sidelines and playing the situations as I keep creating for them. I told both guys coming off the field today that I loved the way they went about it, because they showed our guys, they utilized the people that we wanted to see. The packages were shown, and they're out there battling. Those guys are going home at night, they're battling each other. So, I'm really proud of where they're leading this right now."

In the end, it’s about executing the fundamentals, doing things the right way, getting a little lucky and staying healthy enough to do what is needed for success. That part never changes, regardless of who the head coach is.

"Yeah, that's a big question,” he said when asked about the joy within that has come with his return to the sidelines. “I don't know. I've always loved playing. It didn't matter. When I was growing up, I was playing everything, baseball, basketball, football, whatever it was I was playing. Played three sports in high school. Wanted to play two in college. It's just playing. To me, practice is playing catch. You see me throwing the ball a ton because I love throwing the ball around. And I don't know, it ain't no big deal because it's just comes natural.

“But I love what we're doing. I love being a part of it. And so far, it's just been everything you could hope for as a coach. The guys are responding, we're practicing really well. We've got dreams that we're sharing and visions that we're sharing for what's coming up. And to see guys ascend into the expectations that we have for them, and then also the whole group coming together in the culture of that. That's a really, it's an exciting challenge to be part of. I feel very fortunate to be doing it.

“And whether last year, last year was last year, it happened to be a really profitable year and I'm doing all kinds of little things that I liked that I saw, I wanted to try. And think we're growing because of that. But it's just been a blast, man. So, if I was wearing a number, I'd probably have to wear 70 whatever I am, and on my back. But I don't feel like nothing different than I was when I was coaching at UOP. So, I'm just feeling grateful to be here."