December 12, 2005
ESPN: Truth to rumors of Carroll leaving USC?
It's been rumored up and down for quite some time that Pete Carroll was considering leaving Southern Cal for greener pastures in the NFL. Now ESPN's top NFL rumor finder, Chris Mortensen, is reporting that there is truth to the Pete Carroll to NFL rumors.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Sunday that Carroll's representatives are sending out feelers for NFL jobs that would give the Trojans' coach control of football operations and $6 million a year.
Carroll continues to say that he won't interview for any NFL jobs, so it could be that his agents are acting without his consent (doubtful), he's bluffing (possible), or that this is just a shell game to get a bigger contract at USC (likely). If it is a move to get more money at USC, you would think Carroll would have enough clout with the Trojans to just ask for what he wants, rather than try to backdoor the process. Maybe his footing isn't as solid as he wants it to be. Either way, it's hard to see Carroll leaving USC.
That said, Carroll's been much more successful at USC (42-9) than he ever was with the Patriots and Jets (33-31).
Comments:
Notre Dame Fan 444 said:
posted on December 12, 2005 3:03 PM — 199.208.239.140 — link — abuse?
Pete still has unfinished business in the NFL. He will probably not leave, he just wants the money that Charlie Weis gets 3.5 mill a year and a 60 mill Adidas contract, along with total control. Don't think he will leave though, just a rumor. Could be a great challenge for him to "reload" the next USC team if all the skilled players jump to the pro's this year Bush, Jarrett, Smith, White etc...... I don't see it though, he appears happy with USC but a few mill thrown and total control of a team can change you. And I'm sure Green Bay, Houston and Detroit have taken notice. All three have a chance at a USC star....The only doubt would be if the idiot McMillen (Lions) would let him.
Jay said:
posted on December 12, 2005 3:37 PM — 68.35.53.118 — link — abuse?
several comments:
1. The story says "ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Sunday..." but what's missing is how Mortensen found out about it. Usually these types of stories have a clause saying "according to sources within USC who declined to be named" or "According to an NFL General Manager who declined to be named"
2. Even odder is that the story wasn't even written by Mortensen. It was another ESPN writer reporting on what Mortensen said. That's an extra degree of separation, and it's really unusual for the same network who broke the story to give themselves that extra separation from the story
3. the article says under Carroll, USC is 42-9. That is incorrect - the Trojans are 54-9 under Carroll
4. last year, this same reporter, Chris Mortensen reported that former Trojans Ronnie Lott and Tim McDonald were pushing Carroll to take the 49ers Head Coaching position. Both Lott and McDonald categorically denied this, and Lott said he hopes Carroll stays at USC long term.
5. Mortensen is an Arkansas Razorbacks fan - and his son is a QB there. The Trojans played the Razorbacks this year and play them again next year, so Carroll leaving would benefit Mortensen
6. The timing of this story is highly suspicious. If Carroll were going to send out feelers, why would he do so in the height of recruiting season, and while USC is in the midst of preparations for the national title game? To do so now would be essentially sabotaging his own team's efforts. Carroll knows he could wait and get an NFL job after Jan 4 without any difficulty - so why send out feelers now?
CT said:
posted on December 12, 2005 4:13 PM — 24.26.254.28 — link — abuse?
"Why on Earth would anyone pay a guy with Pete's NFL track record $6 million a year?"
A) Because there are plenty of active NFL coaches he could replace with LOSING all-time records.
B) Because hiring a guy like Pete would get the fan base excited and would actually sell tickets. You can't say that about more than a handful of coaches at any level of the sport.
That being said I hope this rumor doesn't hold water, not only would it be a loss for my Trojans, but it'd be foolish for Carroll as well. It'll never be as good as it is right now.
K Hat said:
posted on December 12, 2005 6:29 PM — 24.217.145.84 — link — abuse?
This story is totally false and Mortensen knows it. This is not like Mort to report on a story when, the person the story is about, Pete Carroll, stated on an ESPN radio show (late last week) that he would not interview for any coaching job.
Think about this. Why in the name of God, would anyone want to leave a program that he has built up for an NFL job where he has to clean up someone's mess? With the out of control ego's, salary cap issues, pressure to do in the NFL what he's done at USC, dealing with agents, owners and the media, why put yourself through all of that?
USC is on cruse control, this is now destination #1 for all the top recruits in California and the majority of the nations high school top players. This is just another rumor by the media (Bob Stoops, Kirk Ferentz, Mack Brown to the NFL, to name a few) that won't come true.
Tommie Trojan said:
posted on December 12, 2005 11:52 PM — 208.57.130.196 — link — abuse?
Yeh, yeh! We just landed two more super recruits today, TE McCoy and LB Tatum. Alot more are on the way. Doubt if this guy is leaving. To what? Coach the Lions? The Rams? Who? What? Some lousy team with no chance of recovering in the next ten years? Come on! What is the incentive? Money? Really? Does this look like the kind of person who is totally about money? I don't think that you can do what he has done if all you ever cared about was money. There has been alot of those dudes come and go. They have never accomplished anything like this. You think Vince Lombardi was about green? How bout' Don Shula? John Madden? Bear Bryant? Joe Paterno? Have any of the great ones ever been about money? I don't think so.
I doubt if anything could feel as good as winning. And, while he's working sixteen hour days with some pathetic NFL team - how much time is he gonna have to spend it anyway? Nope, as Eminem so eliquently spoke, you only get one shot! Carroll is in his "one shot". That opportunity only rolls once in a lifetime. He would be the "greatest fool ever" to leave SC and go onto flop in the pros because of all of the "rules for fair play" that exist there. Having to rely on the draft to get your players is not quite the same as going out and being able to "just get what you need". No, the guy is a salesman - he'll get his raises. But, you can't sell the NFL draft. First off, you have to lose "big time" to get a good draft. By that time - the coach is long gone! Nope! Too bad for all of you USC haters - but, Coach Carroll isn't going to be going anywhere except to maybe hoist an additional National Championship Trophy high up over his head.Tommie Trojan
gabriel robles said:
posted on December 21, 2005 5:11 PM — 67.116.192.74 — link — abuse?
Guys..think about it. Pete's in Hollywood...sheer stardom. Number one in a place that is home to stars...all kinds of stars. USC tradition is an amazing thing. Being part of it is certainly better than any of the NFL cities mentioned. Losers all.
USC owns LA, ask UCLA about that. The alums are amazing, suppporting the team and the University in ways that are often unsung.
Pete is the most famous guy in LA...who would want to leave that? The money? How much more can he really make in the NFL? I'm sure the Trojans will pay whatever it takes to keep him...Norm Chow WAS different. Not the same being an offensive coordinator to being the head man!!
Go Trojans!!
Gabriel
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Danny said:
posted on December 12, 2005 12:36 PM — 128.192.24.88 — link — abuse?Why on Earth would anyone pay a guy with Pete's NFL track record $6 million a year?