One thought for why Pete Carroll is bolting for the Seattle Seahawks is because USC is about to be hit with sanctions.
And I agree with that thought.
In fact, it’s about time.
There has been an ample amount of proof that Reggie Bush broke NCAA rules and took money — and a lot of it — from a marketing agent.
And now, there is the investigation surrounding Joe McKnight, who is also heading to the pros, despite a lackluster three seasons.
All signs are pointing to trouble for USC, which would mean the end of era.
Sure, the Trojans haven’t had the same national success they had early in the 2000s, but year-in and year-out, they are one of the best teams in the country.
If the program loses scholarships and without Carroll out there recruiting and with the recent improvement of other teams in the Pac-10, USC can expect a big dropoff in the wins column.
The three years before Carroll took over, the Trojans were only 19-18 under Paul Hackett.
In his second year, Carroll had USC in a BCS game and coached Carson Palmer, the first of three of the next four Heisman Trophy winners.
He won seven-straight conference titles and two national titles. His on-field success started on the recruiting trail, and that’s where he is already being missed.
The fifth-ranked overall prospect (according to Rivals.com), Ronald Powell, made his decision at the Army All-American Bowl on Saturday, and he did not put the Trojans hat on, despite being from California. USC should no longer expect one of the top classes every year. Instead, it should hope the program is only put on probation and the loss of scholarships lasts a few years.
If that does happen, the athletics director needs to get a coach who can win with less talent. He will have the players there now, and some of the guys already committed to USC.
That should get the new coach through the next few years, but after that, he will have to win with great coaching and getting the most out of the players that come in. He can’t afford to have the few talented players he will be able to get to fizzle out.
Carroll rebuilt USC to the greatness it once was, but he is now leaving it for another coach to save from falling back to mediocrity.
