I really hate this. I am not a USC fan but one has to respect the work that Pete Carroll did at the University of Southern California, unless of course all of those stories about nagging NCAA rule violations are true. Then it bugs me that Pete Carroll who was in charge of the program during all of their success and rule violations gets to bolt for the NFL and make what is rumored to be $7 million a year while USC could be headed for punishments because of his actions (or lack of actions).
It’s the same with Jerry Tarkanian in basketball. He coached three different school and each time he left as the NCAA noose was tightening in each spot. I don’t know why colleges keep getting stuck with the consequences while the John Calipari’s of the world get new and higher profile jobs. Bobby Knight is right, John Calipari should not be coaching.
As the New York Times reports, this is what USC has to look forward to.
Carroll’s flirtations with the N.F.L. are almost an annual rite, but this courtship has a different feeling from previous dalliances with teams like the Miami Dolphins and the Atlanta Falcons.
Much of that feeling stems from the N.C.A.A.’s investigation into the Trojans’ football program, which goes back to 2006. The university itself is investigating a Los Angeles Times report that tailback Joe McKnight, who declared for the N.F.L. draft on Friday, was driving a Land Rover purchased for his girlfriend by a local businessman.
“We just don’t pay attention to that,” Jackson said. “What we’re here for is football and school, so we’ll let compliance and all them take care of that. It doesn’t bother me so much.”
This week, the university imposed heavy sanctions on its basketball program because of violations in the recruitment of the former star O. J. Mayo. Since 2006, the N.C.A.A. has been investigating whether the family of the former Trojans running back Reggie Bush took as much as $300,000 in cash and goods from a would-be marketing agent while he was in college. While these problems have festered the past few weeks, Mike Garrett, the university’s athletic director, has made few public appearances or comments. Garrett declined to comment to reporters about Carroll on campus Friday evening while walking to his car. The university’s president, Steven Sample, plans to retire later this year.
Cloudy days ahead for USC, despite it’s location in sunny southern California and one of the guys who was a part of the problem get to go make $7 million annually somewhere else. What a system.
College coaches have not panned out in the NFL very often, it’s hard enough for NFL seasoned coaches. Could be a long road for Pete, although he’ll get his money, this might be the end of the road for him. That’s my thoughts.