Pete Carroll Takes the Muscle Out of the USC Staff

Former head coach Pete Carroll has dealt a major blow to the USC Football program. Next to Carroll, himself, the person most responsible for USC’s rise as a college football powerhouse this past decade has been Chris Carlisle, the head strength and conditioning coach.

Carlisle is the man who put the muscle into the program.  He is the one most responsible for the strong second half finishes that Carroll’s Trojan teams displayed throughout the decade.

Today Carroll called, and Carlisle listened.

He will join the man who brought him to USC in Seattle to become the Seahawks new strength and conditioning coach.

It is one great move for Carlisle and the Seahawks and a terrible loss for the Cardinal and Gold.

Lane Kiffin and the USC administration wanted to keep Carlisle on board.  But Carlisle’s allegiance lay with Pete Carroll.  The only question was why did it take so long for Carroll to invite Carlisle to join his staff.

Carroll placed all his trust and faith in Carlisle back in 2001 when he hired Carlisle who was battling Hodgkin’s disease, a form of cancer.

So, it is understandable that Carlisle should remain loyal to Carroll and take advantage of this opportunity.

Although the Trojan community is devastated by this loss, the staff, players, and fans all wish Carlisle, a revered coach at USC, the very best.

Carlisle’s program was so unique and state-of-the-art that former Trojan players often returned in the offseason to train with Carlisle rather than train at their respective NFL facilities.

On the brighter side, Carlisle does leave a very experienced and cohesive staff behind him.  Jamie Yanchar, who has been with the program since 1990, will serve as the interim strength and conditioning head coach until Lane Kiffin can find replacement for Carlisle.

The current 100-minute strength and conditioning workouts began last week and will continue until Spring Practice in March.

IN OTHER FOOTBALL NEWS: Markeith Ambles, a top-rated wide receiver from McDonough, Ga., has not officially committed to USC.  However, his father said that he enjoyed his visit to USC and plans to make a televised announcement either on or before signing day.  If Ambles does commit, USC will have the No. 1 ranked wide receiver class in the nation, which also includes Kyle Prater and Robert Woods.

Hmm?  Can we expect to see some five-receiver sets in the future?

Running back/quarterback Dillon Baxter from San Diego’s Mission Bay High School enrolled today.  He joins wide receiver Kyle Prater who enrolled last week.  Both will be eligible to take part in Spring Practice.

Patrick Hall, who had enrollment problems in the fall and then blew out a ligament in his first practice, is currently enrolled and attending classes.  However, team physicians will probably not clear him for Spring Practice.  Fall camp is more likely.

Linebacker Frankie Telfort, whose football career abruptly ended last fall due to a heart condition, was re-examined by team physicians but was not cleared to resume his career.

Lane Kiffin has been one busy Trojan.  He and his staff have reportedly given scholarship offers to some 50 players (mostly from the South) since taking over for Pete Carroll.  

The latest word is that offensive linemen Chaz Green of Tampa, Fla., a Tennessee commit, is now looking at other schools.  And guess who is on his list?  Does the weekend of the 29th sound familiar?