Seattle Seahawks coach Jim Mora has been fired, the first coach in team history to be let go after one season, and league sources say longtime USC coach Pete Carroll is being targeted as Mora's replacement.
Mora
Mora attended a meeting Friday morning with management, at which time he was told by Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke that he did not win enough games to save his job. The Seahawks lost their final four games to finish 5-11.
Mora was shocked by his dismissal, believing that when he was called to Lieweke's office that he they would be in discussion about the team's vacant general manager's job, Seahawks sources said.
"We've made a tough decision today," Leiweke said in a statement. "It became apparent after conducting an extensive internal audit that a new direction was needed to provide an opportunity for the organization to be successful. Today's decision, while difficult, is part of the process in building a franchise with a new vision in 2010."
Via text message, Carroll said: "You know I haven't responded to a NFL question in two years."
But a league source said Carroll is interested in the job and is trying to persuade USC offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates to join him in Seattle -- as opposed to Bates pursuing the same position with the Chicago Bears.
Said another source close to Carroll: "You're about to see a big headline that shakes up the major college football world," in reference to the Seahawks' development. The Seahawks did not confirm Carroll as a leading candidate but also did not deny it.
The Seahawks are now charged with hiring a coach as well as a general manager; GM Tim Ruskell, who picked Mora to be Holmgren's replacement, resigned during the season. Seattle spoke to Holmgren about the opening but both sides couldn't come to an agreement before the end of the regular season.
The Seahawks plan to begin interviewing general manager candidates next week.
"This team, more importantly this community, means so much to me that it hurts not being able to see this through," Mora said in a team-issued statement. "I am disappointed I did not get the chance to complete my contract. This is a tough business that sometimes demands immediate gratification."
Mora joined the Seahawks in February 2008 on a five-year contract that called for him to transition to head coach once Mike Holmgren retired. Mora was an assistant for the 2008 season, then succeeded Holmgren.
Seattle is 9-23 since its last playoff appearance in January 2008, after four consecutive NFC West titles.
Mora is believed to have about $12 million remaining on the final three years of his contract.
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