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Pete Carroll credits Pacific professors who changed his life as he receives honorary degree
Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll paid homage to his former professors as he was awarded an honorary degree at University of the Pacific’s commencement ceremony Saturday.
Carroll said learning from and being guided by Larry Meredith and Glen Albaugh shaped his life and his career. The two former professors continue to serve as his mentors.
It was the third Pacific degree for the Super Bowl-winning coach who earned his bachelor’s degree in 1973 and his master’s in 1978.
“It was the professors I had a chance to meet and be influenced by that opened the doors to higher education … they have changed my life and remain influential today,” Carroll said. “They were crucial to my development and were a big part of helping me along the way.”
Carroll played free safety in 1971–72 at Pacific, earning All-Pacific Coast Athletic Conference honors both years. He is one of only three football coaches who have won both a Super Bowl—with Seattle in 2013—and a college football national championship with the University of Southern California in 2003 and 2004.
His career at Pacific is highlighted in the new Stagg Memorial Football Plaza exhibit that was recently unveiled with several former Pacific football players and coaches on hand.
Carroll’s wife Glena played volleyball at Pacific and was the university’s first female student-athlete to receive an athletic scholarship.
“There’s no doubt about who is the better athlete in the family,” Carroll said to the large crowd of family and friends gathered on Knoles Lawn to celebrate the more than 2,000 graduates at ceremonies throughout the day.
“Pete is an exemplary role model for Pacific’s students. He has proved himself to be one of the premier coaches of his generation and also a leading voice nationally on racial and social justice issues facing our country,” said Pacific President Christopher Callahan.
Carroll recently founded Amplify Voices, a social justice media platform that produces podcasts, documentaries and books dedicated to championing diverse and caring voices.
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