When you think of successful football coaches, you usually picture them on the field, making big decisions during important games. But behind many great coaches is a strong partner who supports them through every win and loss. For Pete Carroll, the famous NFL coach, that person is his wife, Glena Goranson.
Personal Info
| Full Name | Glena Goranson Carroll |
|---|---|
| Birth Year | 1955 |
| Birthplace | San Francisco, California, USA |
| Age | 69 years old (as of 2024) |
| Education | University of the Pacific |
| College Sport | Volleyball Player |
| Spouse | Pete Carroll (married 1976) |
| Children | Three (Brennan, Jaime, and Nate) |
| Grandchildren | Seven |
| Known For | Wife of NFL Coach Pete Carroll |
Early Life and Growing Up
Glena Goranson was born in 1955 in San Francisco, California. She grew up with her two sisters, Greta and Carla, in a loving family. Her parents, Dolores and Dean Goranson, raised their daughters to value both sports and education. This balanced upbringing helped shape who Glena would become.
Growing up in California during the 1950s and 1960s, Glena enjoyed an active lifestyle. She learned early on about teamwork, hard work, and staying fit. These lessons stayed with her throughout her entire life and helped her handle the challenges that came later.
College Days and Meeting Pete
Glena attended the University of the Pacific, where she played volleyball at a competitive level. This is where her life changed forever. At the same university, a young man named Pete Carroll was playing football and dreaming of becoming a coach.
The two student athletes met on campus and quickly connected. They shared a love for sports, hard work, and personal growth. Their friendship grew into love, and they began dating while still in college. Both were focused on their goals, but they also knew they had found something special in each other.
A Marriage That Lasts
In 1976, Glena Goranson and Pete Carroll got married. They were young and full of dreams. At that time, Pete was just starting his coaching career, and Glena stood by his side, ready to support him no matter where life took them.
Nearly five decades later, they are still together. Their marriage has lasted through countless moves, job changes, victories, and disappointments. In the world of professional sports, where relationships often struggle under pressure, the Carrolls have built something rare and beautiful.
Supporting Pete’s Career Journey
Being married to a football coach is not easy. It means moving to new cities, adjusting to new communities, and dealing with the stress that comes with wins and losses. Glena has done all of this with grace and strength.
Pete’s coaching journey took the family to many places. He worked with the New York Jets, the New England Patriots, and then spent nine successful years at the University of Southern California (USC). During his time at USC, Pete built a powerhouse team and won back-to-back national championships.
In 2010, Pete became the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. This was where he reached the peak of his career. In 2014, the Seahawks won their first Super Bowl championship, beating the Denver Broncos. Through every step of this journey, Glena was there, cheering him on and keeping their family strong.
When Pete gave his farewell speech as head coach of the Seahawks in January 2024, he became emotional talking about his wife. Fighting back tears, he called her “the angel of my life” and said he owed her everything. It was a powerful moment that showed just how important she has been to his success.
A Loving Mother and Grandmother
Glena and Pete have three children together: Brennan, Jaime, and Nate. All three have followed their parents’ example of hard work and dedication.
Brennan Carroll is now the offensive coordinator for the Arizona Wildcats football team. He also worked with his father at USC and with the Seattle Seahawks before moving to Arizona. He is married to Amber, and they have a son named Dillon.
Jaime Carroll, the only daughter, works in content development and mindset coaching. She also played volleyball at USC, just like her mother did at the University of the Pacific. Jaime has been involved in her father’s business projects, including Compete to Create, a company that helps people develop better thinking skills for success.
Nate Carroll followed his father and brother into football coaching. He works as a senior offensive assistant coach for the Seattle Seahawks.
The Carroll family now includes seven grandchildren. Glena enjoys her role as a grandmother and takes pride in seeing her children succeed in their own careers.
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Helping Others Through Charity
Glena and Pete believe in giving back to their community. Throughout their lives, they have been involved in various charity projects and programs that help young people.
Pete founded an organization called A Better LA, which works to reduce gang violence and help at-risk youth. Glena has supported this work and been involved in fundraising events. She understands that their success gives them a chance to make a real difference in people’s lives.
The Carrolls have also supported other community programs in every city where they have lived. They use their influence to help others and create positive change.
A Private Life Despite Public Fame
Even though Pete Carroll is a famous coach, Glena has always preferred to keep their family life private. She rarely gives interviews and stays away from social media attention. This choice has helped protect their family from too much public pressure.
When they do appear together at events, Glena is known for her simple but elegant style. She often wears natural fabrics and comfortable clothes. On game days, she could be spotted wearing all white, supporting her husband and his team from the stands.
Facing Challenges Together
No marriage lasts almost 50 years without facing some hard times. In 2009, during Pete’s time at USC, unfounded rumors spread about his personal life. Pete quickly denied these claims, and no evidence ever supported them. Through this difficult period, Glena and Pete stayed strong together, showing the world that their bond could not be easily broken.
The couple has also dealt with the normal stresses of a coaching career. Losing seasons, tough decisions about job changes, and the pressure of public expectations all tested their relationship. But they faced each challenge as a team.
The Move to Las Vegas
In January 2025, Pete Carroll became the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, starting a new chapter in his career. Even at 73 years old, Pete remains energetic and passionate about coaching. And once again, Glena is by his side, ready to support him in this new adventure.
Their willingness to start fresh in a new city at this stage of life shows their continued love for the game and for each other. Glena has proven time and again that she can adapt to new situations while keeping their family strong.
Glena’s Quiet Strength
What makes Glena Goranson special is not fame or public recognition. It is her quiet strength, her steady support, and her ability to build a strong family while her husband worked in a demanding career. She represents countless partners who support their loved ones behind the scenes, making success possible through sacrifice and love.
Pete himself has said that people would never fully understand how important Glena has been to his life and career. In his emotional farewell speech, he called her his best friend, his mentor, and his loving partner. These words reveal the true foundation of his success.
A Legacy of Partnership
Glena Goranson’s story teaches us important lessons about partnership, patience, and putting family first. She showed that you can be strong and independent while also supporting someone else’s dreams. She proved that lasting love is built on mutual respect, shared values, and working together through good times and bad.
While Pete Carroll’s name will always be remembered in football history, those who know the full story understand that Glena played a huge part in making that history possible. Her influence reaches beyond her husband to their children, grandchildren, and everyone who has been touched by the Carroll family’s kindness and community work.
Conclusion
Glena Goranson Carroll is much more than “Pete Carroll’s wife.” She is a former athlete, a devoted mother, a proud grandmother, and a woman who has quietly shaped one of football’s most successful families. Her life reminds us that true success often comes from the support and sacrifice of those who choose to work behind the scenes.
As Pete continues his coaching career with the Las Vegas Raiders, Glena continues the role she has mastered for almost 50 years. Together, they show us what a strong partnership looks like and prove that behind every great achievement, there is often a story of love, support, and teamwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How did Glena Goranson meet Pete Carroll?
Glena met Pete Carroll at the University of the Pacific, where they were both student athletes. Glena played volleyball while Pete played football. They started dating in college and got married in 1976.
2. How many children do Glena and Pete Carroll have?
They have three children: two sons named Brennan and Nate, and one daughter named Jaime. All three children have careers connected to sports or coaching.
3. What did Glena Goranson do before marriage?
Glena was a competitive volleyball player at the University of the Pacific. She was an active athlete who valued teamwork and hard work, which helped prepare her for life as a coach’s wife.
4. Is Glena Goranson involved in charity work?
Yes, Glena has supported various charity programs alongside her husband, including A Better LA, which helps at-risk youth and works to reduce gang violence. She believes in using their success to help others.
5. How long have Glena and Pete been married?
Glena and Pete Carroll have been married since 1976, which means they have been together for almost 50 years. Their marriage is one of the longest and strongest in professional sports.
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