Caesar And The Falcons
I've been away from the computer, but ESPN.com reports the Atlanta Falcons are interested in Pete Carroll.
About two weeks ago, I spoke to Carroll about the Falcons job and he was not bullish on it or the organization.
So that means he is not interested, right? Right?
One would think Carroll would not even interview for the job, but we shall see.
While PC is definitely not Bobby "run from the money, run to the money" Petrino, I think that Arthur Blanks is some what leery of college coaches. Petrino is not in the same class (coaching or character wise) that PC is in, but because of the shameful tactics of Petrino, Sabin, Spurrier and Rich "I deny everything" Rodriguez, I really think that Blanks is not going to pull in another college coach. An interview may be coming, but I can't see PC going to a "huge" trouble spot like the "ATL Falcons". Now if PC wants to go Chicago and replace the "Lovie", I have no problems with that (sorry Trojans fans). Fight On!
It will be interesting to see if PC interviews. The top 3 NFL coaches all make over >$10 million a year, and I believe that PC is currently at $3 million or so. I don't believe that there is any way that Pete would take the job, but if it were you, wouldn't you at least interview to let your bosses know that you have a much higher market value than your current salary. And, once you interview, what IF you happen to hit it off with the owner and/or management? NO WAY will Pete leave for ATL, but if I were him, I would probably take the interview.
Why would he leave? When the bowl subdivision expands its schedule to 16 games and an 8 team playoff (3 more games), he could catch Paterno and Bowden in just 15 years. Hell, after Rick Neuheisel is fired, maybe he could coach USC and UCLA simultaneously and get there in just 14 years!
(UCLA fanboys are scratching their heads trying to do the math.)
Do you really think Pete's boss doesn't know his value in the marketplace? Pete doesn't have to interview or fiegn interest or anything. He only has to ask Mike Garrett for more money, and he'll get it. You can put a dollar value on an NFL job, but getting to whip the hell out of the fuclans every year is, as the saying goes, "priceless."
Hmmmm... let's see.... The president of the University of Georgia is howling for a playoff system on national television because his puppies got shutout of the title game.... The Falcons are in Georgia.... Recruits are signing up in a month.... Gee, I wonder how and why this rumor got started
This rumor wouldn't have anything to do with Richie McKay being the GM of the Falcons, would it?
Naaaah!
The Falcons are concurrently looking to hire a GM. (McKay is giving up the GM job, but remaining as President.) Usually, a team overhauling its management will first get the GM, and then allow the GM to hire the new coach. Otherwise, the team runs the risk of hiring a GM and Coach who might not be able to co-exist. It would make sense to allow
As for Carroll, assuming for the sake of argument that he would leave for the NFL (a big IF), why would he take the Falcons job? There are more attractive places/teams than the Atlanta Falcons.
Oops, forgot to finish last sentence of first paragraph... It would make sense to allow the new GM to be hired before hiring the coach.
USC already has officially denied this rumor, which surfaces every year about this time when Pete goes on vacation. Gee, I wonder who the "unnamed sources" were for the ESPN report? Could it be opposing coaches who are trying to get a recruiting edge? Maybe it was just Coach Rick New Weasel?