October 26, 2005
Pete Carroll moving to Saints; Saints moving to LA
Some things are so incredibly unbelievable that you have to sit and wonder...maybe just maybe. Put the latest Pete Carroll to the New Orleans Saints rumor in that category.
In the name of wishful thinking, there is this idea floating around that USC's Pete Carroll will become head coach of the San Antonio Saints next season. For one season only, in preparation of moving Tom Benson's New Orleans franchise to Southern California for the 2007 season.Pretty good idea, right?
Without question, Carroll has been monitoring the pending head-coaching vacancies in the NFL. He has been communicating almost weekly with a high-ranking NFL executive about situations league-wide. And it's not about really leaving USC, a job he loves, it's about financial security for himself and his children forever.
And who better to promote a transplanted, long-on-losing franchise to fans in Los Angeles than Pete Carroll? He'd be the perfect salesman, considering even the league worries that fans in Los Angeles would prefer an expansion team.
If the Trojans win a third consecutive national championship, what more is there for Carroll to prove in college football? But the important thing is that some NFL owner might pay him more than $6 million a season and make him the sport's highest-paid head coach. In fact, that figure may be low if there's a bidding war for his services.
Heck, I bet half the Pac10 alums would finance the deal. That said, sounds more like dirty recruiting than anything substantial.
Comments:
Aaron said:
posted on October 27, 2005 12:41 AM — 67.183.232.99 — link — abuse?
It amazes me that money is considered to be an issue with these kinds of things. He already as enough money for his entire bloodline to live happily forever. If he left for money, I'd lose all respect. If he left for the challenge, well there may be no better one than trying to fix the Aints.
posted on October 27, 2005 6:35 AM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue said:
Admit it, zippy, you would rather hear it from us than from them. This is more a "things that make you go hmmm" than anything else. While it may be "gossip" today, it's been repeated enough that MSM sources like FoxSports are talking about it, too.
portis said:
posted on October 27, 2005 8:29 AM — 24.140.92.2 — link — abuse?
Maybe he's considering leaving USC to coach in the NFL.....for a new challenge. That's a bunch of bull, I can't stand when coaches move up to bigger and better jobs and claim they were looking for a new challenge. The only challenge they are looking for is how to fit more benjamins in their bank account! Money rules the world and runs the world, whoever offers the most will get the coach.
I'm a Realist said:
posted on October 27, 2005 11:13 AM — 208.52.140.17 — link — abuse?
After this season is the perfect time for Carroll to leave. He will be without his prize quarterback and his NFL backfield. The effects of Norm Chow will be gone, and Pete will be left with new guys in an improving Pac-10. If Pete leaves now, he WILL leave a coaching god, and his reputation won't be tarnished with a season or two that didn't meet expectations: see Nick Saban. If he ever plans on going back to the NFL, he should go will the getting is good...even if it is the Saints.
JL said:
posted on October 27, 2005 3:24 PM — 216.73.139.137 — link — abuse?
Here are some facts. Pete makes about $3 million at USC. This includes base salary, plus endorsements and all of his bonuses since he obviously earned them with the national championships. If Pete bolts to the NFL, he stands to make anywhere from $6 million to $10 million per year, especially if he gets control by also being named GM like Mike Holmgren in Seattle. This would give him player personnel control which was the problem he had in New England and New York. Pete also has kids entering college. You add in the bite that the tax man takes, staying at USC only pays Pete about $1.8 million per year. Compare that with $4-5 million he makes in the NFL as take home. That buys a lot of security for him and his children. Over the course of a five-year deal, by not jumping to the NFL, Pete leaves over $12 million on the table. How many of us would walk away from that?
Yes, the 'SC job is great. Yes, he's on top of the college world, but if he wins a third national championship, what else is there for him to prove? Especially if a NFL team comes calling giving him complete control over the program?
As much as I love having Pete here, I think it's a sure thing he's going to leave in a year or two at most. Unless Mike Garrett and the Trustees step up with a MAJOR pay hike, it's a no-brainer if you're Pete Carroll.
Aaron said:
posted on October 29, 2005 1:09 AM — 67.183.232.99 — link — abuse?
Why keep saying that there is nothing to prove after winning three straight national championships? There is ALWAYS something else to prove. Did Phil Jackson come back for more after winning three straight with the Bulls? Even if it is his own records, he will always have something to strive to beat.
tristan said:
posted on October 29, 2005 5:30 AM — 67.180.175.43 — link — abuse?
Don't know where you people are getting Carroll's income @ SC figures. You're wayyyy off. First of all, his slary +endorsements+radio/tv "Coach Carroll" shows, and a"bonus" from alums comes to between $5 and 6 MILLION. As for his college age kids, don't you all know by now that part of his deal at SC is that ALL his kids get a free USC education?-his daughter is close to graduating-two other kids coming up and his eldest son, Brendon(who BTW almost lost the ND game by signalling for a T.O. that we didn't have to call) is the tight-ends coach on the Trojans. Also, challenge or no, pro players simply do not buy into his "youthful enthusiasm", and baby, that is his secret at SC, not his X and O's.
Martin said:
posted on October 30, 2005 4:42 PM — 69.231.192.59 — link — abuse?
tristan:
Interesting, I thought the compensation packages from private universities were secret.
I would imagine he also get's a mansion in an exclusive part of southern California like the other top USC faculty. Real Estate is insanely expensive in southern Cal.
My favorite college compensation story occured in the 80's when Texas wanted to build up it's Academic reputation. An Ivy League scientist demanded from Texas, and reportedly received, at least as much as the football coach.
posted on October 30, 2005 6:27 PM — 207.200.116.133 — link — abuse?
$2-3 million a year at SC vs $6 million a year in the NFL? Pete should stay at SC. Pete can get by just fine on $2-3 Million a year. SC has enough $$$ to make it more and they are total idiots if they don't. Pete Carroll IS USC right now. Garrett ought to kiss his ass and give him some of his own salary too since if it wasn't for Pete, Garrett would be pumping gas the Pasadena car wash I see him at every Sunday. But, at what point is it not about $$? How freakin' much do you need? Pete is not only the God of college football, he's making a gigantic difference in the lives of young men. As Mastercard says....priceless. Why dump what he's got at SC to try yet again and prove himeslf in an NFL league who, even if he turned out to be great, ten years from now would say Pete who??
RaisedonSC said:
posted on November 2, 2005 3:25 AM — 68.230.178.123 — link — abuse?
What a load of hogwash. EVERY year there are rumors about the latest NFL franchise and where Pete is looking to go. Last year it was a sure bet and everyone had the inside rumors that he and Lienart would both go to the 49ers (if Leinart entered the draft) where Carroll is originally from. Didn't happen. Carroll loves SC, his daughter goes there, he runs a charity in downtown LA that the proceeds from his website go to. He was in the NFL for a long time and coached New England and New York and hated it and loves college and can't get it any better than SC. He's great at recruiting and can't do that in the NFL, how else do you explain the talent SC year after year. Norm Chow? Yes, a big loss one of the greatest masterminds of offense that Pete brought to SC. The two replacing him are very familiar with his system, one was a quarterback under him at BYU (Sarkasian) and coached several years at SC when Chow was there, and Kiffin was the passing coordinator when Chow was there. Pete gets paid more than any Pac-10 coach, and with all the success he's bringing SC can afford to give him a lot more and they will if they need to.
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zippy said:
posted on October 26, 2005 7:17 PM — 172.152.253.63 — link — abuse?Bad move Pete. Stay at USC and die immortal god or go to the saints and watch your fans show up with Hefty garbage bags over there head.