Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has admitted that it took adversity to help make him a better coach.

Carroll struggled during his early days as a head coach as he was fired by the New York Jets in 1994 and then by the New England Patriots in 1999, before starting a successful career in the college game for USC.

However, he feels that he has finally proved his doubters wrong as he has taken the Seahawks - who were struggling when he took over in the 2010 season - to the Super Bowl in just four years.

Carroll told reporters: "It really took me getting fired a couple times, getting kicked in the butt, to get to where I am now. It's taken some shots to get here, but it's a tremendous time for us now.

"I personally don't think I've changed that much, I've just grown and learned."

The 62-year-old has a 42-28 record as head coach of the Seahawks.