Richard Sherman has described Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll as the "polar opposite" of Jim Harbaugh.

The cornerback played under the San Francisco 49ers head coach during his college career with Stanford Cardinal before being drafted by the Seahawks.

The 25-year-old told Sports Illustrated: "He's the polar opposite of that. He's not soft, but he's easygoing. He's loose. As loose as you can get out there. He allows his players to be who they are within the confines of the team, as long as it doesn't hurt the team, he allows guys to be themselves.

"If you're a reserved guy that's always focused, that's always locked in that like an Earl Thomas is, he allows you to be that guy and be locked in 100% of the time. If you're a loose guy and you dance at practice like I do, he allows you to be that guy.

"As long as when you're on the field you do exactly what you're supposed to do. He allows guys to be who they are. Russell Wilson is an outgoing, incredible person, he allows him to be that. Everybody can be who they are within the scheme of the Seahawks and what we want to do."

The Seahawks host the 49ers in the NFC championship game later today.