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American Football

Former NFL executive Michael Lombardi names surprise coach as future Hall of Famer

Philip Marsh
Former NFL executive Michael Lombardi names surprise coach as future Hall of FamerDAZN

Former NFL executive turned analyst Michael Lombardi has named Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll as a future Hall of Famer.

Carroll began his NFL coaching career back in 1984 as the defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills before becoming and NFL head coach for the first time 10 years later with the New York Jets.

The 72-year-old also had a three-season spell as head coach of the New England Patriots, but his most successful period in the NFL has come with the Seattle Seahawks.

Carroll has been Seahawks' head coach since 2010 and led the NFC West franchise to Super Bowl glory in 2014 when they beat the Denver Broncos 43-8.

However, the success in 2014 was followed by a Super Bowl loss the next season, and Carroll faced heavy criticism for his decision to call a pass play with the ball on the one-yard line needing a touchdown to take the lead.

NFL fans will know the pass in question was intercepted by Patriots' Malcolm Butler, while Seahawks fans were left stunned that they had not opted to run the ball with Marshawn Lynch

Despite that, Lombardi told the Pat McAfee Show that he believes Carroll is a Hall of Fame worthy coach who does not get the credit he deserves.

"The betting world takes a lot of shots at Pete Carroll for his game management, but to me Pete Carroll is a Hall of Fame coach," said Lombardi.

"He's won a Super Bowl and a lot of games in Seattle, he's also built that programme and his childlike enthusiasm for what he does is remarkable.

"I don't think he gets enough credit for really being a great coach and making the hard decisions."