Pete Carroll is officially returning to the NFL after a ten year absence, and with it will come Big Ten relief. After all, since Carroll joined USC in 2001, the Big Ten conference is 0-7* versus USC.
Still, as someone who loves college football versus simply likely the NFL, I feel that Carroll’s move is bad for all parties and I will miss him.
Coaching a college football team is a dedication that extends beyond the X’s and O’s. Each fall, a college football coach needs to start fresh and say good-bye to those that graduate. In the NFL, it boils down to money and it is as simple as that. Today’s NFL champions leave to join other franchises simply for greener green, while in college football, young players bond and remain until they leave.
I understand why Carroll is leaving and yes, it does have more to do than with just money. In four seasons of coaching in the NFL (one in New York (Jets) and three in New England), Carroll was just 33-31 and played just three games in the post-season (1-2). Therefore, he certainly has a reason to leave his comfortable college surroundings and attempt to erase his bad NFL memories. At USC, he was 97-19 and won two national championships (2003, 2004).
However, the college game lost out today and will certainly miss Carroll’s enthusiasm and dedication.
We wish him the best.
*Carroll versus the Big Ten:
Jan. 3, 2003: USC 38, Iowa 17 (Orange Bowl)
Jan. 1, 2004: USC 28, Michigan 14 (Rose Bowl)
Jan. 1, 2007: USC 32, Michigan 18 (Rose Bowl)
Jan. 1, 2008: USC 49, Illinois 17 (Rose Bowl)
Sept. 13, 2008: USC 35, Ohio State 3
Jan. 1, 2009: USC 38, Penn State 24 (Rose Bowl)
Sept. 12, 2009: USC 18, Ohio State 15
Popularity: 1%
Comments on this entry are closed.