The Seahawks face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in their second divisional matchup of the season. Having already taken a look at some of the top players to wear both teams’ uniforms, this time we're highlighting five coaches who spent time with both franchises during their careers.
Pete Carroll
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll's coaching career has spanned five decades, from the collegiate ranks to the pros. Born in San Francisco, Carroll starred at the University of the Pacific at safety before returning to coach as a graduate assistant. After climbing the collegiate ranks for a decade with stops at programs like Arkansa, Ohio State and North Carolina State, Carroll moved up to the NFL in 1984 as defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills. He'd spend the rest of the decade coaching defensive backs with the Bills and Minnesota Vikings before joining the New York Jets as defensive coordinator in 1990. Carroll would spend three seasons at the position before getting his first opportunity to be a head coach with the franchise in 1994.
After going 6-10, the organization moved on, prompting Carroll to join the 49ers staff in 1995 as defensive coordinator, allowing him to learn some formative lessons under Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh, who returned to the organization in a front office role in 1996.
"When he came back to be an advisor," said Carroll. "They hired him back I think after the Stanford days, he came into the building, and no one wanted to talk to him. They were scared to death of him, everybody was afraid they would say the wrong thing. I didn't know anything, I grew up a Niners fan and loved all their success, but I hadn't been overwhelmed by him in the coaching process. So anyway, he was kind of by himself, he had a little office in the back corner, so I just started going in and hanging out and he let me come in and nobody else was coming by, so we developed a really great relationship. And what was so exciting about it was I had loved for the 49ers and the system and the history of how they had put it together, all of that. But I had a chance to ask him about all of 'How did you do it? Why did you do this? What was your thinking here? Why this play or why this coach?' And even talking through their cycles of their time together with Joe [Montana], Jerry [Rice], all those guys and Steve Young coming up, we talked through all that stuff. It was fun anyway, whether it had to do with coaching or not, it helped me."
Carroll will face the 49ers for the 30th time as the Seahawks coach, postseason included, since joining the franchise in 2010.
Greg Olson
Seahawks quarterbacks Coach Greg Olson has nearly four decades of coaching at the collegiate and pro levels, starting with his time at Washington State as a graduate assistant in 1987. The Richland native climbed the collegiate ranks through the 1990s, starting at Central Washington as offensive coordinator before stops at the University of Idaho (1994-1996) and Purdue University (1997-2000). In 2001, Olson moved up to the professional ranks to become the 49ers quarterbacks coach.
Olson spent time in different offensive roles with nine franchises before joining the Seahawks in 2023.
Nick Sorenson
NFL veteran Nick Sorensen spent 10 seasons with three franchises before calling it a career as a player and becoming a coach. The Virginia Tech alum joined the 49ers as assistant special teams coach from 2013-2015, before becoming the Seahawks' assistant defensive backs coach in 2016. The following season, Sorensen was promoted to secondary coach, remaining in the role until 2020. After spending the 2021 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars as special teams coordinator, Sorenson joined the 49ers in 2022 as a defensive assistant.
Robert Saleh
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh began his coaching career in 2002 as an offensive assistant at Michigan State University. Over the last two decades, Saleh has climbed from Houston Texans intern in 2005 to leading a franchise. Along the way, Saleh made a stop in the Pacific Northwest with the Seahawks, joining the Seahawks as a defensive quality control coach in 2011, remaining with Seattle through the Super Bowl-winning 2013 season.
After time with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2014-16) as linebackers coach, Saleh joined San Francisco in 2017 as defensive coordinator. Following three successful seasons, Saleh became the Jets head coach in 2021.
Brian Schneider
After his playing days as a linebacker at Colorado State, 49ers special teams coordinator Brian Schneider returned to his alma mater in 1994 as a graduate assistant. Through the last two decades, Schneider has worked the collegiate and pro ranks as a special teams coordinator, joining the Seahawks in 2010. Schneider would spend 10 seasons with the franchise before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021. In 2022, Schneider joined San Francisco as special teams coordinator.
The Seahawks and 49ers face off on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the 49ers.
Seattle Seahawks fullback Dan Doornink (33) runs upfield during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, Oct. 7, 1979. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 35-24. (AP Photo/Al Messerschmidt)
San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana (16) passes during an NFL football game against Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 25, 1985, in San Francisco. The 49ers won the game, 19-6. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
San Francisco 49ers' Terrell Owens catches the game-winning touchdown pass from quarterback Jeff Garcia while Seattle Seahawks' Shawn Springs defends during the fourth quarter in Seattle, Monday, Oct. 14. 29, 2002. The 49ers won, 28-21. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Marcus Robertson (31) gets ready to make sure San Francisco 49ers running back Garrison Hearst (20) is stopped on Sunday, December 1, 2002, in San Francisco, California. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 31-24. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks' Antonio Cochran (78) celebrates a fumble recovery by teammate safety Ken Hamlin on the first play after the 2-minute warning in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 20-19. At left is 49ers' Ron Stone. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
San Francisco 49ers running back Kevan Barlow (32) looks for hole in line on Saturday, December 27, 2003, in San Francisco, California. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 24-17. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck looks for room to pass under pressure from San Francisco 49ers' John Engelberger (95) and Derrick Hamilton (88) in the first quarter in Seattle, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Darrell Jackson, right, runs in for a touchdown past San Francissco 49ers' Ronnie Heard on a 33-yard pass reception in the first quarter Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)
Seattle Seahawks' D.J. Hackett (18) grabs a touchdown pass in front of San Francisco 49ers' Shawntae Spencer in the first half on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith attempts to pass under pressure from Seattle Seahawks' Craig Terrill, right, and Rodney Bailey (95) in the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005, at Qwest Field in Seattle. The Seahawks beat the 49ers 41-3. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws downfield while under pressure from Seattle Seahawks linebacker Julian Peterson, left, in the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.J. Hackett (18) cannot hold on to a pass in the second quarter as San Francisco 49ers strong safety Mark Roman defends in the second quarter Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, at Qwest Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
San Francisco 49ers' Frank Gore, center, fumbles in front of Seattle Seahawks' Darryl Tapp in the first quarter of their NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 12: Tight end Marcus Pollard #88 of the Seattle Seahawks spins after the reception against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, November 12, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. Seattle won the game 24-0. (AP Photo/Thomas E. Witte) Marcus Pollard
Seattle Seahawks' Josh Wilson defends as San Francisco 49ers' Isaac Bruce makes a 33-yard reception in overtime in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, in Seattle. The 49ers won 33-30. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Julius Jones, left, carries the ball in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Nate Clements in the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry (59), top, tackles San Francisco 49ers running back Glen Coffee (29) during an NFL football game in San Francisco, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Seattle Seahawks Matt Hasselbeck in action against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Justin Forsett in action against the San Francisco 49ers in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ruvell Martin (82) catches a pass in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Nate Clements (22) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (15) against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) drives for the end zone during an NFL game against Seattle Seahawks defensive back Kam Chancellor (31) on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011, in Seattle. The 49ers won the game, 19-17. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) tries to make a tackle while blocked by Seattle Seahawks tight end Zach Miller (86) during the NFL week 7 football game on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012 in San Francisco. The 49ers won the game 13-6. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Seattle Seahawks' Richard Sherman comes down with an interception ahead of San Francisco 49ers' wide receiver Randy Moss in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Seattle. The Seahawks beat the 49ers 42-13. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) passes against the defense of San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis (52) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell, left, intercepts a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree, right, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) catches a 35-yard touchdown pass at 13:44 of the fourth quarter of the NFL NFC Championship playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, January 19, 2014 in Seattle. The Seahawks won the game 23-17. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Paul Richardson (10) heads downfield during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Nov. 27, 2014, in Santa Clara, Ca. The Seahawks won the game, 19-3. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Seattle Seahawks' Bobby Wagner, left, closes in on San Francisco 49ers' Carlos Hyde, right, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett (72) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) drops the ball after scoring a touchdown ahead of San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) catches the ball against San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers, 37-18. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Seattle Seahawks' Jeremy Lane (20) tackles San Francisco 49ers' Raheem Mostert (31) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
In this third in a series of seven photos, Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Willson leaps over San Francisco 49ers cornerback Will Redmond, left, as defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game, Sept. 17, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
