Was Pete Carroll Running for the Nearest Exit?

Both Yahoo.com and ESPN.com are reporting that the NCAA investigation of USC athletics has been completed and a hearing is scheduled with the Committee on Infractions for Feb. 19-21 in Tempe, Arizona.

According to Charles Robinson and Jason Cole of Yahoo Sports, who first investigated the relationship of Reggie Bush’s family with a would-be sports promoter, the NCAA completed its investigation some three months ago.

The investigation also includes the probe of the USC Men’s Basketball program that was touched off by an ESPN “Outside the Lines” report that former coach Tim Floyd funneled money to one-and-done recruit O.J. Mayo.

NCAA procedures require that a school have 90 days to respond to allegations prior to a date being set for the hearing.  Since that is the case, both Pete Carroll and Mike Garrett have known about these allegations for at least three months.

In addition, the judge hearing the civil lawsuit against Reggie Bush and his family refused to allow an out of court settlement requested by Bush’s lawyer.  That cleared the way for all the principals in the case to be deposed, which includes Pete Carroll.

And that isn’t the only lawsuit or deposition to involve Carroll.

According to a report by Michael McKnight on SI.com, former USC assistant coach Dave Watson received thousands of pain pills from USC doctors.  At least six of the doctors were associated with the team.  

This came to light after Watson caused a serious car accident in May 2008 and was arrested for DUI.  Watson had apparently told Carroll of his addiction several months before the accident.  However, Carroll kept Watson on his staff well after the arrest.

Finally, eight months after the accident, Carroll fired Watson for being too hard on his players. In a court deposition, Watson said he doubts that was the real reason.

Watson pleaded no contest in the DUI case and received three years probation.  The lawyers for the injured party in the accident are claiming that Carroll is partly responsible for their client’s injury since he knew of Watson’s addiction, and that Watson was driving an SUV provided for work by USC and USC doctors had prescribed the pain killers.

On Monday, sources report, Carroll was served with a subpoena to testify in the case.

With the allegations against USC already completed, the Joe McKnight report suddenly pops out of nowhere, and Carroll has another violations problem on his hands.

I can just imagine Pete shaking his head and muttering, “Where are all those NFL offers when you really need one.”

Well, his prayers were finally answered, and not a moment too soon either.