Pete Carroll will meet with the Seahawks this weekend to talk about filling their head coaching vacancy.
It looks like Pete Carroll could head from Troy to the Emerald City by the beginning of next week.
Multiple media outlets are reporting that USC head coach Pete Carroll is considering a return to the NFL to coach the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle fired head coach Jim Mora Friday morning after an underwhelming 5-11 season.
Carroll, 58, was tapped as the head man at USC in 2000 and turned the program around quickly. For the last nine years, the Trojans have won 11 or more games in seven consecutive years, won five of the six Rose Bowl games they appeared in, and won two national championships.
So, why would the man who is the king of Los Angeles football bolt for gloomy Seattle? Why would he leave a situation with a young quarterback full of potential and a boatload of recruits for an aging quarterback and a rebuilding project?
Remember, Carroll has had a plethora of NFL experience, which dates back to 1984 when he served as a defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills. After holding the same position with the Minnesota Vikings, Carroll became the defensive coordinator of the New York Jets.
In fact, it was the Jets who also gave him his first job as an NFL head coach in 1994. It was a disaster to say the least. After a 6-4 start, his team faltered down the stretch, losing six straight. As a result he was fired.
After a two year stint as the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator, Carroll was hired again as head coach. This time he would take over the lead job for the New England Patriots following Bill Parcells’ fallout with management.
Even though he managed to get New England to the playoffs his first two years and squeezed out an 8-8 season his third year, Carroll was ultimately fired.
Over his forgettable NFL career, he amassed a 33-31 regular season record and a 1-2 playoff record.
As head coach of the Trojans, Carroll has built a powerhouse. The epitome of college football. A 97-19 regular season record and a 7-2 record in bowl games.
Again, why would he do it? Why would he leave the sure thing at USC?
Is it the money and power? Reports say he would be given a 5-year, 35 million deal to be the franchise’s head coach and president. But, he makes good money and has more than enough power at USC.
Maybe it’s the challenge.
Coaches as good as Carroll might be getting bored of his time at USC. Success is great, but sometimes, things can get complacent. The old challenges of building a program dwindle.
Carroll might see the Seahawks job as a to build another program if you will. In this case, he’ll have to rebuild a team that was once the only worthwhile team in the NFC West.
Not only is this a chance for him to prove he can coach in the NFL, but it’s also a chance for him to build an even bigger legacy.
