SANTA CLARA -- Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll knows about the challenges that face a team after winning a championship.
Last season, he lived it with his football team. And this fall, he is keeping a close eye on the Golden State Warriors.
When Steve Kerr decided to get into coaching, Carroll was one of the coaches with whom he visited. And Carroll said he has known Warriors interim coach Luke Walton while both lived in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County. Carroll, who identified himself as "Pete from Marin" on the call with reporters, has long Bay Area ties.
“He’s doing awesome,” Carroll said Wednesday in a conference call with Bay Area reporters.
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The Warriors have won their first 12 games of the season after winning the NBA Finals last season. Walton is filling in for Kerr, who has been sidelined with back problems.
“I was fired up for Steve’s effort and the great year that they had and the type of team that they were able to put together, and all of the coaches helped to get that done,” Carroll said. “For Luke to get a chance to fill in for Steve when he’s down, it’s a rare opportunity with such a great team. But, obviously, they’re hitting on all cylinders.
“We watch them closely. We love their team and how they play, and we check them out all the time. Their ability to hold their mentality following the big championship season, I think is extraordinary and it’s really notable."
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The Seahawks, of course, made it back to the Super Bowl last season after winning the NFL title following the 2013 season. The Seahawks' season ended with a last-second loss to the New England Patriots. The Seahawks were 13-3 during their Super Bowl-winning season, and dropped to 12-4 last season. They are currently 4-5, entering Sunday's game against the 49ers.
Meanwhile, the Warriors appear likely to improve on their 67-15 record of last season.
“I know they’re going to keep doing one game at a time," Carroll said. "It’s a nice march they’re on right now.”
