Finally, Pete gets some love in the media this year.

As worried as we are right now about the Trojans, let's not forget we have the best coach in the NCAA on our side. That's a big, big factor right now.

Scott, all the positive characteristics you mentioned about Pete Carroll are what make him such an outstanding college coach. He understands the game, knows how to positively motivate players, and exemplifies the competitive spirit.

Win or lose (and I hate losing), Pete Carroll is the best thing that's happened to SC since the McKay era.

Fight on!

sfh

See, you can write a good article when you want to. Nobody it going to think you are homer.

Former USC Asst. AD Darryl Gross - now the AD at Syracuse - gets alot of credit for 'finding' Pete Carroll. But, recall that he found Paul Hackett too!

So, it's no coincidence that upon arriving at Syracuse, Gross immediately hired Greg Robinson, one of Pete's friends, to see if lightning might strike twice.

It did. Sort of...

His latest coaching 'find' is far more like Hackett than Carroll.

The best part of the story is that Gross - who thought he was the smartest person on earth ("I have a PhD...do you") - is getting his just rewards with his mediocre football program.

Thankfully, the mustard is off that hot dog.

I heard the UCLA scout team uses God to simulate Pete Carroll in game preparations.

Good reading.

My nominee for the staff member who will be a successful head coach: Steve Sarkisian

Fight On!

Just back to Petros for a second....I figured out why Petros left the ticket....Petros no longer has a conflict of interest in hooking up with Sabina Mora.......

In Robinson's defense -- which in no way is suggesting he (or anyone else) is another Pete Carroll -- Syracuse improved greatly on that side of the ball last year, and has been a much tougher out this season. Especially switching from an option-attack to the proverbial West Coast one, I think 17 games in is too early to write him off as 'failed'.

Another dig!

From Scott's article:
"If I became a head coach, there would be a remarkable amount of similarities with Pete because of who he is and the success he's had," offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin said.

Lame as a head coach? That would be funny.

Appreciate the insights Scott. Some of your haters will be thinking you're going soft on PC.

"The truth is none of those coaches are like Carroll from a personality standpoint. They are all hard-nosed, tough, maybe a little gruff and have a take-no-prisoners attitude.

Carroll might be the most competitive person on earth, but he is none of these other qualities. In fact, he's the exact opposite: Accommodating, upbeat, adaptable and open-minded are more accurate descriptions.

Here's a better example: When Carroll and Robinson were at Pacific together in the 1970s, an assistant coach contrasted the pair. He said Carroll always thought everything would work out while Robinson always thought something would go wrong."

Wow!

I think that of all the Carroll assistants, Sarkisian is closest to a PC clone. I often look through my binoculars during SC games and what I always see going to back to his first year is that Pete is always REALLY excited to be dealing with whatever is at hand in the moment...its not an act...I have seen it over and over even in the most stressful of game situations. I even see him talking to his players with alot of excitement and you can just tell he is impressing on his players to live in the moment and how great it is and to enjoy it....I think that is HUGE for creating a winning attitude....and I don't think that is easily replicated.

I don't know if Pete majored in psychology or not, but he did study Maslow closely and the peak experience, hence, the "know what you feel and know who you are" philosophy. So, it's probably more than Pete's football schemes that coaches will have to study.

Pete Carroll in a great coach, but your article is extremely poor. Your reasoning and comparisons are similar to that of an eight grader, at best.

I nominate csufmatt's "God simulating Pete Carroll" post for Blog Comment of the Year.

That was a good article, Scott. Probably the best you've written in a long time...I'm man enough to admit when you deserve a 'job well done' pat on the back.

Thanks PE. It must have been divine inspiration!

ADs aren't only attempting to duplicate Carroll by hiring parts of his staff. They are also thinking there's something to the NFL reject and/or "know yourself" philospher approach.

Bill Callahan's hiring at Nebraska and Dave Wannstedt at Pitt are examples that may ultimately work out, but certainly not at the level Carroll attained in his first two or three years. Dan Hawkins is supposed to have a "new school" philosophy approach like Carroll's, but he's brought nothing to Colorado after leaving Boise State's blue field.

The bottom line is that we are very fortunate to have Carroll as our head coach, and it was a "perfect storm" involving the right guy with the right program with a few key recruits (Shaun Cody, Matt Leinart) that made this happen.

Give Dan Hawkins a chance to recruit before you throw out his ideas. Though our talent level wan't like it is now, Pete did inherit some good players; Carson, Polomalu, etc. If he never landed Shaun Cody, Matt Leinart, or Mike Williams, we never would have reached our peak. Its great for us Pete has the whole package; recruiting, teaching, game plan, adjustments. I think Dan Hawkins will have success but people are stupid if they believe anyone can copy Pete, even at USC.

I agree with the post that the UCLA God comment is blog of the year....and Sabina Mora.......as the best voice in radio since Tokyo Rose,,,I could actually see Scott slobbering all over himself when he was on the P show.

Taken from your article Scott:"A grasp of the big picture is probably Carroll's greatest attribute. He thinks nothing of holding a 90-minute practice if things are going smoothly. It's doubtful Orgeron would do the same and feel he got the most out of his team." I heard Orgeron say on one of the sports programs that a freshman needs to earn his way on a team and it takes a couple of years....wonder why they arn't lining up to play for him? No PC copy here!

Rivals.com has Good Ole Miss currently ranked with the #4 recruiting class in the nation for '07. In his first year, they were #16. Orgeron must be doing something right down there. The future's only looking brighter.

Doubtful SC will catch Texas this year, even though PC likes 11th hour recruits.