ESPN Says Seattle Seahawks Are Targeting Pete Carroll; Rumor Mill Swirls

ESPN's Chris Mortenson is reporting that the Seattle Seahawks, who just fired head coach Jim Mora, are targeting USC head coach Pete Carroll to fill the newly vacated position.

Those same rumors have Carroll requesting USC assistant head coach Jeremy Bates join him in the Pacific northwest.

According to one source, in regard to Carroll leaving the Trojans for the head coaching position in Seattle, "This is going to happen."

Of course we have heard this story before.

Until last year, almost every head coaching position that opened up in the NFL had Pete Carroll's name attached to it.

And every serious overture by the NFL has been resisted by Carroll.

But how about now?

USC, which recently imposed self sanctions against its basketball team for recruiting transgressions, is still operating under the spectre of the Reggie Bush possible scandal still being investigated by the NCAA.

If Carroll is aware of major violations and possible sanctions to be imposed, there may be a real possibility for him to jump ship.

Now the absolute latest rumor has USC "reaching out" to Mike Riley, the Oregon State head coach, as a possilbility for replacing Carroll.

Either way, the timing of this is horrible for USC fans.

Deep into the heart of the recruiting season, with letter of intent signing day only three and a half weeks away, news of a possible departure by Pete Carroll could not come at a worse time.

The Army All-Star game, with a ton of USC pledged recruits playing and a like number considering the Trojans, will be played this Saturday.

It is crucial that Pete Carroll addresses this latest rumor immediately.

If Carroll, who is rumored to be interested in the Seattle job, truly is considering leaving, he needs to either say so or put it to rest.

Now.

Not tomorrow, not in two days, and certainly not after the letter of intent signing day when prep football recruits will sign their name on the dotted line expecting to be coached by Pete Carroll.

Whatever Pete Carroll decides, and I speak for thousands of Trojan fans who hope he stays, he will have contributed mightily to bringing the Trojans back to national prominence.

We, as Trojan fans, thank him for this.

We will also thank him for putting this latest rumor to rest as well.

Either way Pete, make up your mind and do it fast.