Just Why Is Pete Carroll Leaving USC?

Pete Carroll has been tossed about as a potential head coaching candidate for NFL jobs across nearly his entire tenure at USC.  Miami even followed him all the way to South America in an attempt to hire the coach with a 97-19 career record at USC.  He had always maintained that he wanted to remain with the Trojans when offers have been fielded his way.

For the first time the rumors of Pete Carroll’s NFL return seem more than vapors.  He has not officially signed, however the Seattle Seahawks have been reported to be very close to hiring Carroll to replace just fired head coach Jim Mora.  CEO Tom Leiweke spent the past week in Southern California interviewing Carroll, and the two seem very close to a deal.

It would seem an ideal situation for the head coach who had frequently rebuffed NFL offers to remain in the powerhouse PAC-10 program.  Owner Paul Allen has the deep pockets to give Carroll a significant boost to his solid four million a year USC contract, putting money on the table that no college program can keep pace with.

The Seahawks also keep Carroll on the West Coast and by the water, two things he has expressed a desire to maintain.  He would be granted a strong say in personnel matters as well, an alluring facet for any coach.  Despite his deep pockets Allen is considered an ideal owner to work for as well, since he tends to not over-insert himself into the finer points of running the team.

The biggest factor in dislodging Carroll from the ranks of college head coaching may have nothing to do with the team interested and more to do with the situation USC football might be facing.

USC basketball just suffered a huge set of self-imposed sanctions in response to potential ill dealings with one-and-done player OJ Mayo.  This may not be the end of sanctions faced as the program still has to face the NCAA and any sanctions the league itself might impose.

The team’s football program has reason to believe it may be facing similar disciplinary action in the near future.  For years an investigation into potential NCAA violations surrounding USC alum Reggie Bush had been stonewalled by the fact that the NCAA has no subpoena power, and thus are forced to use only testimony freely given.

A civil case against Bush has been given the go-ahead now, and that case, being an actual legal case, can force Bush, Carroll, any other possible individual involved to testify under oath.  This gives the appearance that a ruling may very well be on the horizon that will affect USC’s football program.

He also is finally showing some frustration with USC athletic director Mike Garrett.  He openly showed dislike for how Joe McKnight’s questionable situation was handled to close the year.  Garrett also failed to show Carroll significant support after a down season in which the Trojans went 8-4.

The final straw could be a feeling of unfinished business.  Head Coaches are an inherently proud, driven bunch, and his 33-31 career as an NFL head coach might leave Carroll wishing to prove himself at the highest level.

With all of these factors, it finally appears this is will be the year Carroll returns to professional football.  Whether the move will benefit Seattle or not, it seems quite likely they will be giving to head coaching job (along with a strong personnel control component, if not outright GM-ship) to Pete Carroll of USC.

Just who would replace Carroll?  Despite the fledgling nature of the situation, names have already been bandied about for the new head coaching position.  ESPN reports that at present the leading candidate to try and lure would be Oregon State’s Mike Riley.  He is a former USC assistant and has put together a successful program with much less to work with in Oregon.

Other names bandied about have been Jacksonville’s Jack Del Rio, who while not fired, has been presently told he is "interviewing to keep his job" and has USC ties.  A return to USC by Washington head coach Steve Sarkesian is also a possibility.  He only has one year of head coaching experience, but made a terrible Huskies team competitive in his first season, even beating the USC Trojans early in the year.

Either way it looks to be a major blow for the program.  Beyond his head coaching prowess, Carroll had also crafted himself into one of the premier recruiters among the college ranks, a hole not easily filled by simply finding a good football mind.

Whatever happens, USC’s future appears tentative given the loss of Carroll, possible sanctions, and a less than loved athletic director.