New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has revealed his admiration for opposite number Pete Carroll ahead of the Super Bowl on Sunday.
Belichick has won three Super Bowls during his coaching career but credits Carroll for playing a role in helping him improve his craft.
"Not a coach in the NFL I respect more than Pete Carroll. He's a tremendous coach. He and I have kind of come up together in roughly the same era. We've both been defensive coordinators, we've both been head coaches," he told the media.
"I have a ton of respect for what Pete does as a coach, how good of a fundamental teacher he is, the way his teams play. I've learned a lot from what he does, and indirectly, I think he's made me a better coach. I have all the respect in the world for Pete and his staff."
Belichick replaced Carroll as the Patriots coach over a decade ago, with the Seahawks coach returning to the NFL after a trip back to the college ranks.
Carroll also praised the New England coach earlier this week but dismissed talk of the Seahawks forming a new dynasty in the league.