Ray Small Was Right: There Is a Class Difference

As Ray Small so elequently stated back in September, “Here at Ohio State, they teach you to be a better man. There, (at USC) it’s just all about football.” He went on to  describe the difference between them as "A class thing".

At the time, those comments were over the top and childish—after all, Pete Carrol seemed like the coolest coach in football and had brought a ridiculous amount of respect back to the program. When, during the OSU game, the camera showed Carrol sitting in a circle laughing and talking strategy with his players on the sideline, I was certain that he was the player's coach—the only D-I coach I would want to party with. (Besides of course Joe Paterno...that guy knows how to have fun.)

Then came the recent Mark Sanchez debacle. I'm sure you've all read or seen this story, so I'll just summarize: Sanchez, after spending hours deliberating the merits of staying or leaving with his coach, opted to forego his senior season and enter the NFL draft. To this, Carrol responded by walking out of the press conference and publicly decrying Sanchez's decision.

The situation is easily comparable to that of Chris "Beanie" Wells and Jim Tressel. Wells certainly could have improved his stock with another season although, like Sanchez, injury was a major concern. Also similar is that both Wells and Sanchez were the heart of their team's offense—the driving force that often determined a win or a loss in close games. Despite this, their respective coaches could not have reacted differently.

Tressel, when asked whether or not Beanie should leave, said, "Shoot yeah...If it were me, it wouldn't be tough" He understood that leaving early was truly what would be best for the junior—a concept that seems to escape Pete Carroll. In fact, Tressel advises his players to leave if they're estimated to be drafted in the first round, not that they always take this advice. (See Jenkins, Laurinaitus)

Whereas Tress places his players interests above winning, Carroll emphasizes the latter.

Had Sanchez stayed for another season, he would not only have risked injury, but also had to compete with the likes of Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford, and Tim Tebow for draft position.

His departure will surely hurt the Trojan's offense as there is no proven talent below him, and I get the feeling that Carroll wouldn't have taken it so badly had there been a Terrelle Pryor on his depth chart. Pete Carroll showed that he truly is a disciple of Bill Belichick's in that he will do anything to win. He certainly would be better suited for the NFL, where coaches are not the influential figures they are in college ball.

This whole thing may come back to bite him recruiting wise, but only time will tell. Carroll is undoubtably one of the greatest coaches in football currently...it's unfortunate that he lacks true character.

Although he did prove Ray Small right...turns out there is a class difference after all.