January 9, 2008
Another season of Pete Carroll to the NFL rumors
It's January, so it must be time for the annual Pete Carroll to the NFL rumors.
ESPN makes its first lap of the season in the Pete Carroll pool with word out of Atlanta that the Falcons are seeking permission to interview the USC coach.
Of course, this year's rumor comes on the heels of...
- Jan 2005... Carroll says he is never going back to the NFL...
"I'm a professional college coach."
- Jan 2005... 49ers eye Carroll as head coach
- October 2005... Pete Carroll to the Saints
- December 2005... Carroll sending out feelers to NFL teams
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.
- December 2005... NFL rumors force USC to extend Carroll's contract
- January 2007... Carroll interviews with Miami Dolphins
So... Pete Carroll season has begun in earnest. And with openings in DC, Atlanta, Baltimore and elsewhere, it's likely to be a long, long Carroll to the NFL season.
His success at USC has NFL teams ready to forget his 33-31 record in the pro's. It's becoming abundantly clear that Carroll wants a shot at running -- truly running a la personnel decisions, coaching, etc -- an NFL franchise.
If I were in charge at USC, this song would be getting a little old. The Trojans have extended his agreement once to stave off the NFL, only to see PC getting on a flight to Miami the very next season. Carroll seemingly holds all the cards in this game, but maybe it's time for the Trojans to hold his feet to the fire. Initiate another extension, but throw the 'ol poison pill into his buyout clause.
So -- for now -- it's just another season of Pete Carroll to the NFL rumors. For now.
Comments:
posted on January 9, 2008 12:06 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?War Eagle Atlanta
said:
Yes, I think it's only natural that a Pete Carroll to the NFL thread be done in conjunction with a update thread on the Reggie Bush Incident (RBI) during the 2004 season.
I like Carroll. I think he's a damn good coach. But since he's not our coach, he can go to the NFL. Perhaps USC might slip back into a two-decade long slumber again...
College Pigskin Fan said:
posted on January 9, 2008 1:00 PM — 4.245.90.182 — link — abuse?
This is another example how the media has gotten away from reporting facts, and how they just throw around rumors, speculate, give opinion pieces or editorals instead of facts. So much for investigative journalism.
Spartacus
posted on January 9, 2008 6:12 PM — 71.103.218.167 — link — abuse? said:
Most people don't understand this: USC cannot be punished by the NCAA when they, as a University, had no knowledge whatsoever of what Reggie Bush was doing. And, I beleive, that is the case. The NCAA is not rushing to any judgment on this one. Fact is: they can force USC to forfeit some games and possibly rescind Reggie's Hypesman Trophy. That's about it. USC won't be put on probation or lose any scholarships for infractions that they did not commit or had any knowledge thereof.
That said: Pete Carroll has no need to go anywhere. If he's doing anything at all - it's trying to get more money for his assistant coaches. We've lost alot of them lately and it's all about the green stuff. I think Pete already has a nice fat wallet. He'd probably like to keep some of his assistant's around longer than a couple of years. But, that problem is everywhere in NCAA football - as most all of those great assistant coaches are underpaid and underappreciated. I liked the way that Bill Stewart took over West Virginia for their bowl game. The Mounties didn't need Rich Rodriguez for jack.
Another great recruiting class is comming in. It doesn't have all the QB's, RB's and WR's - but it does have the most highly heralded OL people in a long long time. This thing is just gonna get out of control real soon. He isn't going anywhere.Tommie Trojan
posted on January 9, 2008 6:36 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Tommie T: Although the NCAA has changed the burden of proof for the charge of 'lack of institutional control' from 'guilty until proven innocent' to 'we kinda have to show that you're guilty', that doesn't mean that they won't try to lean on USC for having a player flagrantly receiving benefits.
You say you don't believe that they knew. While I'm not going to try and tell you what to believe, I seriously have to question the competency of a university to not have at least some clue about what was going on with their best player. An excuse like that is going to bring on even more Draconian enforcement issues for sure.
USC has the glitz and glamour that the NCAA may not want to pursue this issue all the way. Even if they do, and even if USC is found to have exhibited a 'lack of institutional control, the games would be vacated rather than forfeited, which would effect the chances of another school, like Auburn, of then being able to step up and fill the newly created void.
Spartacus
posted on January 9, 2008 6:59 PM — 71.103.218.167 — link — abuse? said:
WEA:
Now, how could USC know that somebody else is paying this guy's momma's rent? That's not like he's drivin' around in a new Escalade, drippin' in gold and diamonds, with an entourage of pimps and hoes hangin' around him in the locker room. I don't think this guy was as obvious as Maurice Clarett or somebody like that. I think he was somewhat slick in what he was doing and I think he really was doing it for his parents at the time. I think he knew he'd get his millions within a year. I'm not trying to be naive here, I just think that if there was anything that was openly flagrant, the NCAA would be all over it like Bill Clinton at a beauty pageant.
Tommie Trojan
GA Boy said:
posted on January 9, 2008 10:15 PM — 75.137.174.61 — link — abuse?
Ramblin Gator
Where are you at man? What are those 2 retired NFL coaches in your neighborhood talking to you about? Is Carroll going to the Falcons? Have they sworn you to keep it secret since you let the cat out of the bag on Richt going to the Falcons. Just messing with you. You don't have to come back with another GA beating FLA "one in a row" insult!Where you been by the way?
GO DAWGS
Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on January 9, 2008 10:47 PM — 143.127.131.4 — link — abuse?
Gay Boy, until you learn to read what I post there really isn't much point in me responding to you.
For the benefit of everyone else who might have read Gay Boy's post, I will remind all that two of my neighbors are ex-NFL coaches who told me that the Falcons wanted to talk to Richt. Note, I did not say Richt was going to be the Falcons coach - just interested in talking. Gay Boy went completely hyperbolic over what I wrote and has been writing the same repetitive garbage about me ever since.
TE
posted on January 10, 2008 11:28 AM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse? said:
This is what I think is hilarious...I guess USC Fans have completely ignored the fact that Lloyd Lake has said he has taped recordings that implicate USC position coaches that were aware of violations going on.
Lloyd Lake was on the sidelines, and allowed into the locker room at USC. If USC was ignorant of what he was up to, then why didn't they control their sideline passes more closely? Where was their compliance department in checking to ensure that people like Lake and his underlings and cohorts didn't have access to players on the sidelines and in the locker rooms?
The connection between Lake is clearly defined by the fact that he got close personal access to the program, and he didn't get that through luck or juju magic Jedi Mind Tricks...
The AD & compliance department HAD to be aware that Lake had that access, otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to get on the sidelines or in the locker room...
But, this is all pointless...Lake has had contact with the NCAA, and USC has stonewalled and refused to cooperate with the NCAA, as has Bush. Lake has the tapes, and he's agreed to turn them over to the NCAA...
Regardless of what happens in the court case between Bush, New Era, and Lake, the NCAA will soon have access that directly implicates USC Coaches in having knowledge to the transgressions and violations, and their complicit and tacit approval and/or overlooking them even after being made aware.
Coffin. Nail. Hammer. Pete. Is. Gone. Soon. It's. Just. A. Matter. Of. Time.
posted on January 10, 2008 3:51 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Recently, Carroll had this to say about the Falcons: They've had a lot of problems there. It's not the most sought-after job. Also, he said that he wasn't interested in leaving USC for a job with the Falcons.
Being the conditioned cynic and fair-weather Falcons fan that I am, I'd have to say from those comments that things are looking good for Arthur Blank and Co. The stronger the denial, the better the outlook.
The only possible reason Carroll would consider the Falcons would be because Blank would offer him front-office control as well. Then and only then would Carroll consider it.
Pete leaving would kill two birds with one stone for me: possibily taking USC down a notch or two and giving the Falcons a coach/manager that could make a difference.
Zac said:
posted on January 12, 2008 9:47 AM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
Tape. There's always somebody who SAYS they have tape to implicate and condemn. Of course, that begs the question where's this tape. It's never quite as simple as the individual with said tape makes a copy and immediately turns it over to the authorities. No, there has to be this big media circus, "…he's about to hand them over…," mellow drama.
TE, are there any links or articles which confirm or verify that this Lloyd Lake actually HAS what he says he has? OR, that Mr. Lake has in fact turned over "tape" to the NCAA that could implicate specific USC assistant coaches? Otherwise, what you said, somebody else said, Lake said, is worth no more than the article here-in. It's kind of hard to build a coffin, let alone nail it shut, with nothing but hot air.
As for Pete Carol and the NFL, it sounds to me as though he may have caught a bit of the Rich Rodriguez Syndrome. Let's get some feelers out there, as if to say he's interested in other coaching jobs, or to imply other teams with openings might be interested in him. That way, he enters contract negotiations with USC in a position of strength, that they might bend to his every wish or whim. Hey, it is a proven tactic. Why shouldn't he give it a try?
posted on January 12, 2008 11:40 AM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Zac: The latest article I found the other day about the RBI:
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=760360
Looks like Bush settled a civil suit with that former agent. I wonder why would he do that if he had not accepted money in advance?
Zac said:
posted on January 12, 2008 3:25 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
WarEagle, thanks for the link. It was quite the interesting read. Funny, not having ever read it turns out I'm right; i.e. that media circus - this Lake fella wrote a friggen book. Lets pick the article apart, shall we?
"The book's authors, Don Yaeger and Jim Henry, acknowledge that Lake "has been compensated in return for his full cooperation," according to a story posted on the Los Angeles Times' Web site Thursday. Lake's family members also were quoted extensively."
Interesting, if Bush has indeed received money, it looks like Lake has in one shape or another benefited from it. That Lake had to be "…compensated in return for his full cooperation…" certainly puts his credibility into question.
"The book hints that USC coaches may have known about some of the arrangements, but it does not provide evidence that any school official was aware of alleged improper gifts."
Hints? HINTS??? This is far from concrete evidence as to the existence of a tape, which is said to contain a recorded conversation indicating USC coaches had any knowledge what-so-ever; not to mention, the article goes so far as to say "…it does not provide evidence that any school official was aware…"
"The book also contains transcripts of secretly recorded conversations that Lake claimed to have had separately with Bush and his stepfather, LaMar Griffin."
Anyone can write up a transcript in convincing fashion, such that it actually looks like it was taken from a conversation. So, again, I ask the question. Where's proof of the existence of these recordings? By the way, these transcripts involved a relative, not coaches.
"Lake and his former business partner Michael Michaels entered into an agreement with Bush and his stepfather to launch a marketing company with Bush as its main client."
"The deal fell apart when Bush signed with established sports marketer Mike Ornstein."
"Michaels reached an out-of-court settlement with Bush and has declined to comment. Lake is suing Bush to recoup $291,600 in cash and gifts that Bush and his parents allegedly accepted during Bush's sophomore and junior seasons."
There's a lot here that smells of sour grapes. Bush went into business with Lake & Michaels. That business fell through. Lake & Michaels didn't like how it fell through, and did what they could to make Bush's life miserable.
Why did Bush settle out of court with Michaels? I don't know. Maybe he's trying to hide something. Maybe he's a high profile individual who'd just as soon keep his personal life quiet and thought it would be better this way for all concerned.
Now, I'm not saying he took money; I'm not saying he didn't. I am saying I don't know. I'm also saying there's nothing here that really proves anything. One thing is for certain, if Pete Carol and some of his coaches were involved, unless somebody can come up with a lot more than this, including tape, it's likely they'll get away with it.
posted on January 12, 2008 3:46 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Zac: Not much is there that's not circumstantial. The fact that Bush settled a suit is proof of nothing. That's why you settle it(if you're Bush), so terms can be withheld and privacy can be maintained with no-disclosure clauses. A lot of smoke=fire used to be the NCAA looked at it, but things are different today.
I thought that if agents had dealings with amatuer players that it may be subject to some sort of penalty under the RICO statute. I know that some agents have been charged under that, at least. I think...
Spartacus
posted on January 15, 2008 5:54 PM — 71.103.218.167 — link — abuse? said:
I think there were some great coaching changes around the country. The most significant - was the hiring of Rick Nueheisel at UCLA. He will recruit some players there. The only reason that USC has become what they are - is that UCLA has not been able to recruit against Pete Carroll at all.
In the old days - UCLA had mega talent. Both USC and UCLA were "loaded". Now, only USC has that kind of talent. All other PAC schools have drained LA also. This hire will cost USC the most.Tommie Trojan
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TE
said:
posted on January 9, 2008 11:55 AM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse?Pete...Talk to us about that Dynasty, Team of the Decade guff you and your boyz of Troy were polishing your program with after the Rose Bowl?
You'll have to speak up...I have two very large sized ADT Waterford Crystal Footballs stuck in my ears...
Don't know why the guy'd leave now, in all honesty...I've heard Malagallasupercalafragalisticexpialadociousgua is coming back, as another one of that trio of excellent linebackers they had on defense...
They'll have Mustain or Sanchez next fall to throw to a group of now experienced wideouts, and McKnight is going to probably get leaned on. After a year in a top flight S&C program, that kid's going to probably be a Heisman Trophy candidate after a few weeks if they turn to the run while either Mommy Boy Mustain and/or Mr. Sexual Etiquette himself stumble in the early going...
The team seems poised to make yet another run, and with no Dennis Dixon in Oregon, and Cal and Tedford losing his top two receiving targets in Hawkins and Jackson, I don't really see a lot standing in his way out there...
Unless he hears some NCAA rumblings...