Carroll Nukes Two Programs
If there was any surer sign that we're entering a new decade, just look at what remains of the top programs of this past decade. The Oklahoma Sooners opened the decade with a national championship and then played for three more. They finished with their worst win-loss record since 1999. Miami won a title a year later and looked like one of the best teams of all time. They finish the decade striving to become relevant again. Florida won two national titles but now experiences some uncertainty over the health of their head coach. USC appeared to have a dynasty in the making under Pete Carroll and now he appears to be exiting ahead of a Reggie Bush deposition. In the process, he managed to take Tennessee down with him too.
It's not hard to see why Carroll would exit USC when he did. His program is on the verge of potentially heavy sanctions. Despite any enthusiasm he expresses about coaching the Seahawks, does anyone really think he'll do any better now than he did in previous head coaching stints in the NFL? It's not like he inherits some stacked roster in Seattle (like he had with the Trojans). You'd expect him to last two to three years in the pros and then he might return to the college ranks or perhaps enter broadcasting. But USC will be left with at the least some recruiting concerns this year and at the worst a few years of probation to rebuild from. Something akin to what we saw Miami go through in the 1990's seems plausible. In fact, Hurricane coach Dennis Erickson headed to the Seahawks himself.
Then there's Lane Kiffin. Why this guy is such a hot property is a mystery. Was he really the key piece to USC's success under Carroll? Did anything that happened in Oakland make you think he was a genius? At least Bill Callahan got to a Super Bowl. Going 7-5 (like he did at Tennessee) isn't exactly what you're hoping to see if you're a USC fan. So he leaves Tennessee in the lurch, with what looked like a stellar recruiting class likely to crumble. Then he seems likely to disappoint the USC fans.
Maybe Kiffin thinks he'll get extra time for taking USC heading into likely probration. That's a nice thought but ask Gary Gibbs from Oklahoma what following a national championship coach you were an assistant under as your school goes on probation buys you. He was run off despite a six year record of 44-23-2. Gibbs only had a full compliment of scholarships his last season, but it didn't matter. The expectations were still sky high. If Kiffin is still the head coach at USC in seven years, check the skies for floating swine.
But as much as you can blame Kiffin for the fortunes of Tennessee and very soon USC, it's Carroll who caused these dominoes to fall. He's the one that bolted rather than take responsibility at USC. And he's the one that left Kiffin's dream job open. Just wait until he gets his hands on those Seahawks. It won't be pretty.
1/14/2010
I know I am going to take the unpopular stance here, but I can take the heat.
You bang on Carroll for leaving after aknowledging you understand why. I think it is espcially hard for Husker fans to understand how long coaching tenures run these days. We were spoiled with arguably one of the best coaches of all time and he was around for about a quarter of a century. That is not what happens anymore. I hate to see what you write about Bo when he leaves Nebraska. I will be shocked if he is around in 10 years. I hope I am wrong, but that is my prediction.
Then Lane Kiffin. I certainly don’t like what he did to Tenn. but this is big-boy football, time to man-up and quit crying about it. Do you think anyone is going to be all over Will Muschamp or Tenn. if he ends up at Tenn? It is no differnt.
As for his accomplishments, he has shown lots of promise. Yeah, his Oakland days weren’t pretty, but that program is the biggest dumpster fire of a program in the NFL. No one is going to win there until the owner dies. And last year, in the country’s toughest conference, he game the Gators, Tigers, and Tide all they could handle. If he would have had a solid QB, he would have beaten Bama, handedly. Oh yeah, that was in his first year at a new school with virtually the same team that didn’t make a bowl game the year before.
Kiffin is going to do just fine at USC and might not have to do much coaching with his dad and Norm Chow there.
Do I agree bailing on the Vols, not really, but LA is the best place for Kiffin.
1/14/2010
I have to agree with Brandon. We have a dirty coach brought up in a dirty program (USC), spent one year at a place and got 6 NCAA violations and investigations under way for more, and now he’s heading back home to roost, in the current dirtiest program in college.
LA really is the best place for Kiffin. Tennessee deserves better.
1/14/2010
No shame in not succeeding in Oakland. Al Davis has sprinkled crack throughout the organization in a way that surpassed even what Isiah Thomas accomplished during his tenure with the New York Knicks. I thought he did a good job at Tennessee this past year. He got people to believe in his program, recruited well, did a pretty good job with a much-maligned Crompton, and Tennessee was punching above their weight (see games at Alabama and Florida). The suggestion of leaving Tennessee in the dust for USC carries the plausible implication that he probably was going to do something in Knoxville over time. The cast of coaches that he is assembling in Los Angeles also suggests that he should do pretty well out there. . .
If the NCAA doesn’t put USC on serious probation they should apologize to SMU, Oklahoma & Miami because those programs were crippled by sanctions. Either do something when things like this come up, or just say that there are no rules to enforce any more and that the “era” of enforcement is over for good. . .
1/14/2010
Agree with Brandon
Pete was at USC for a long time- why not move on
RE:Kiffen, No one will succeed at Oakland
and why would he pass up his dream job?
I don’t fault either of them.
Hey if given the chance we would follow the same path.
Would any of us pass up our dream job or pass up a promotion, or pass up alot of money
Not many of us.
Kansas City, MO
1/14/2010
It seems as if many coaches jump ship hoping to find that perfect fit/dream job, or just trying to run away from problems. These guys must be saying to themselves later “It wasn’t what I thought it would be, maybe if I go somewhere with more money or prestige things will be better” or “I am in a bad situation, let’s get out before it hits the fan”.
The fact is, unless a person changes, the same issues and concerns will follow them everywhere. I know it may be hard to understand, but I would like Nebraska to be a program where loyalty and character are rewarded. Not just with cash, but with loyalty, patience, and understanding from fans, athletic departments, and administrations.
The best college basketball coach ever, John Wooden, said this: “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are”. I read that in one of Tom Osborne’s books.
1/14/2010
Is there ever really the perfect time to quit a job for a new one? Yes. When the job in question is better than the previous one and its something you hoped for. Don’t tell me Little Kiffin wasnt staring at his phone waiting for USC to come calling.
I don’t blame the guy for leaving Tennessee for USC. Do I think he’s a slimeball as a person? Yes. 100% yes. But that’s only my opinion. But I’d still like to see him with a couple of losing seasons to put some doubt in some minds but I doubt that happens. It’s still USC.
1/14/2010
Chow is staying at ucla. That is going to hurt kiffen.
1/14/2010
As Brandon said, I too would be shocked if Pelini is still the NU head coach in 10 years. He’s such a defensive genius, one would have to think his dream job would be offered at some point in the near future. Begs to ask what his dream job really is. What if Les Miles gets canned down at LSU? Pelini loved it down there & got them a championship, plus it’s the SEC, so we know they’d offer more money. He has connections in the NFL, and he’s in his prime for taking a job there as well. I guess time will tell, as it does for every other coach out there.
1/14/2010
“Dream Job” comparison:
National Championships
LSU - 3
NU - 5
I refuse to think that coaching LSU instead of NU is a “promotion.”
1/16/2010
Didn’t Pelini call the NU job his dream job when he was about to leave LSU?
1/17/2010
Yes Bo did say Nebraska was (is) his dream job. And I for one expect him to be here 10 yrs from. Cause I think Bo believes in loyalty to a program—Guys—we are watching the beginnings of another legend.
1/17/2010
Yes Bo did say Nebraska was (is) his dream job. And I for one expect him to be here 10 yrs from. Cause I think Bo believes in loyalty to a program—Guys—we are watching the beginnings of another legend.
1/17/2010
Yes Bo did say Nebraska was (is) his dream job. And I for one expect him to be here 10 yrs from. Cause I think Bo believes in loyalty to a program—Guys—we are watching the beginnings of another legend.
1/17/2010
Yes Bo did say Nebraska was (is) his dream job. And I for one expect him to be here 10 yrs from. Cause I think Bo believes in loyalty to a program—Guys—we are watching the beginnings of another legend.
1/17/2010
Yes Bo did say Nebraska was (is) his dream job. And I for one expect him to be here 10 yrs from. Cause I think Bo believes in loyalty to a program—Guys—we are watching the beginnings of another legend.
1/17/2010
Yes Bo did say Nebraska was (is) his dream job. And I for one expect him to be here 10 yrs from. Cause I think Bo believes in loyalty to a program—Guys—we are watching the beginnings of another legend.
1/17/2010
Yes Bo did say Nebraska was (is) his dream job. And I for one expect him to be here 10 yrs from. Cause I think Bo believes in loyalty to a program—Guys—we are watching the beginnings of another legend.
1/17/2010
Yes Bo did say Nebraska was (is) his dream job. And I for one expect him to be here 10 yrs from. Cause I think Bo believes in loyalty to a program—Guys—we are watching the beginnings of another legend.
1/17/2010
Yes Bo did say Nebraska was (is) his dream job. And I for one expect him to be here 10 yrs from. Cause I think Bo believes in loyalty to a program—Guys—we are watching the beginnings of another legend.
1/17/2010
Yes Bo did say Nebraska was (is) his dream job. And I for one expect him to be here 10 yrs from. Cause I think Bo believes in loyalty to a program—Guys—we are watching the beginnings of another legend.
1/17/2010
Yes Bo did say Nebraska was (is) his dream job. And I for one expect him to be here 10 yrs from. Cause I think Bo believes in loyalty to a program—Guys—we are watching the beginnings of another legend.
1/17/2010
Yes Bo did say Nebraska was (is) his dream job. And I for one expect him to be here 10 yrs from. Cause I think Bo believes in loyalty to a program—Guys—we are watching the beginnings of another legend.
1/19/2010
I totally agree with lee. Bo has a good head on his shoulders & from what I’ve seen is a man of integrity and character just like T.O. I think he’s here for the long haul.
1/19/2010
I totally agree with lee. Bo has a good head on his shoulders & from what I’ve seen is a man of integrity and character just like T.O. I think he’s here for the long haul.
1/19/2010
I totally agree with lee. Bo has a good head on his shoulders & from what I’ve seen is a man of integrity and character just like T.O. I think he’s here for the long haul.
1/19/2010
I totally agree with lee. Bo has a good head on his shoulders & from what I’ve seen is a man of integrity and character just like T.O. I think he’s here for the long haul.
Wakita, Oklahoma
1/19/2010
Yea,
I miss the days of old when Coach Osborn used to chew his players asses during the game and scream at refs till his gum fell out of his mouth. Don’t forget the times TO was behind the victors with his brother yelling after getting beat in the Big 12 Championship game.
It’s amazing what winning will make people ingore.
Integrity? Watch your limit of red Kool-Aid. Getting a little giddy there.
Nebraska will have to unclench some of the money they have been holding out on to keep Bo around because money talks and BS walks and thats if he doesn’t get sued first for coming uncorked at one of his players.
A fat pay raise and mandatory charm lessons are in order or he may end up like Leach and the others.
See you in the Big 12 Championship game this year.
2/5/2010
It’s USC. C’mon. How do you blame the guy for moving to one of the top football programs in the country?