The AFC West is loaded with accomplished head coaches this season following Pete Caroll joining the division as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders this past offseason.
The division also boasts Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, the Denver Broncos’ Sean Payton, and Jim Harbaugh with the Los Angeles Chargers. The group has a combined five Lombardi Trophies, nine Super Bowl appearances, 20 conference championship appearances, and two collegiate national championships at the college level, three if you include Caroll’s vacated title with the USC Trojans.
[Over the offseason, Carroll was asked about competing against coaches with such impressive resumes.](https://nextimpulsesports.com/nfl/pete-carroll-has-work-cut-out-for-him-in-afc-west/)
“Isn’t that something? Yeah, I think it’s great,” Carroll said, according to Next Impulse Sports. “If you’re going to be any good, you got to beat the best teams. You have to beat them, and so if this division is loaded with that, then that’s what’s going to make us what we are.
“And going against Andy, and Sean, and Jimmy down there, it couldn’t be any more challenging because these guys are terrific football coaches, and they’re going to have a complete team.
“They’re going to bring their kicking game, they’re going to bring their run game, they’re going to bring their defense, and then they’re going to know how to highlight their special players. I mean, that’s what this league, really, I think dictates. I got to get my act together. I got to play up to those guys.”
However, it appears Carroll has some bad blood with at least one of the group.
“HC Carroll on Jim Harbaugh: ‘I remember Jim. … I have no fond memories.’
“Carroll and Harbaugh have faced off as head coaches 12 times, including their matchups in college,” [reported Underdog NFL.](https://x.com/UnderdogNFL/status/1966223897814307002)
It’ll be interesting to see if the Chargers or the Raiders get the win this weekend.