Memo to USC Fans: Pete Carroll Is Gone, Get Over It

Like a jilted lover, USC fan pines for the salad days of the Pete Carroll era.

Sad prose is offered by these crestfallen followers of the Trojans who just can't seem to get over the fact that their beloved head coach has left them for greener pastures.

There have even been candlelight vigils by these forlorn people, imploring their hero to reconsider.

Silly folks.

Pete Carroll is gone and he isn't coming back.

What he has left behind is the memory of, until now, a revamped and storied program that was a title contender each and every year Pete Carroll was at the helm.

He also left behind the wreckage of what was a very promising recruiting class.

Oh yeah, and that little matter of possible NCAA sanctions resulting from suspected violations of payments made to Reggie Bush's family.

Pete Carroll has been recently quoted as saying those sanctions had nothing to do with his decision to leave.

Ummm...sure, Pete. Whatever you say.

Leaving USC for football glory in the NFL probably did play the preeminent role in accepting the Seahawks job.

However, bailing on USC when they are on the cusp of dealing with the NCAA over possible sanctions is a nice by-product, and whatever denials to the contrary that come out of Pete Carroll's mouth should probably be taken with a grain of salt.

The fact is that when the chips were down, Pete Carroll took off and left USC high and dry.

For the first time in seven years, the Trojans faced adversity and limped to a 9-4 season and conveniently, Carroll finds riches in the Pacific Northwest.

Now I know this sounds like the writing of a bitter man, but it really isn't. These are facts and they can't be denied.

Only Pete Carroll knows the true reason for his departure, and to be honest, it just doesn't matter anymore.

So stop with the angst over Pete Carroll leaving.

It's time to usher in a new era, for better or for worse, in USC football.

And for God's sake, stop with the candlelight vigils.