I grew up a fan of USC football. I went to John McKay football camps, had season tickets for years and my father was friends with coaches and players. I idolized the Trojans of the 70’s. I left Los Angeles to play at Boise State. USC had zero interest in me. So, it is fair to say I am a huge USC fan. So, this blog could be a little biased but if Coach Pete wants to take another job in college football, its fine with me he do it at USC.
Chris Petersen is from Yuba City, CA outside Sacramento. He could have been as big a Trojan fan as I was for all I know. I do know that Coach Pete is close with Paul Hackett, a former USC Head Coach from 1998-2000. Hackett hired Pete to go to Pitt with him and taught him many things about how to teach football. Hackett was the coach prior to Pete Carroll and had a bad 3 years and was fired. He felt he wasn’t given enough time, so he could be bitter. Hackett hired Ed Orgeron at USC and he is now the Trojans interim coach. Surely, Pete can reach out to Hackett to better understand the ins and outs of the job. And, it isn’t the first time Pete has had conversations with USC if he chooses to do so. Both the LA TIMES and ESPN reported in 2010 that after Pete Carroll left for the NFL, then AD Mike Garrett asked for permission to speak with Pete. It’s unlikely it was granted because Pete had just agreed to a new 5 year deal at Boise St. and was looking for a National Championship in 2011.
Will he go? Well, Las Vegas has put him in at 4-1 odds to be the new coach. He HAS done all he can do at Boise State. He can make generational wealth at USC and make some assistants wealthier as well. USC could pay Pete double his 5 year 12 million dollar deal. Pete Carroll was making $4.4 million a year. So, if Pete went to USC he could make a $20-25 million dollar deal. He told CBSsports.com in July he doesn't see himself coaching in 10 years. The money he makes would make it easier to do whatever he chooses for the rest of his life with no regard for money. And don’t tell me money isn’t important to Pete, if his salaries would not have increased at BSU, he would have left. That same CBS reporter, Bruce Feldman, now is saying he has spoken to a source close to Coach Pete who claims he is ready for a change. I can’t see USC waiting until Coach Pete is comfortable leaving Boise State which to me is after a bowl game. That could be anywhere from December 22-31st. We all know the downsides of living in LA and the pressure at USC. Does Coach Pete want to stomach that? Could he? Does he seek change and a new challenge? Only Pete can tell. And, I don’t think he is saying.
