Pete Carroll to the Atlanta Falcons?
It's January, which means it's Pete-Carroll-to-the-NFL rumor season. This time, though, it sounds like there may actually be something to the rumors:
USC coach Pete Carroll is interested in the Atlanta Falcons' head coach opening and is expected to speak with Atlanta owner Arthur Blank via phone Wednesday, sources at the American Football Coaches Convention in Anaheim told ESPN's Joe Schad.
Blank is expected to offer full control of personnel decisions to Carroll and the sources said that is what intrigues Carroll most.
DAMN YOU, BOBBY PETRINO!!!
(Hat tip: BK.)
P.S. Reaction from around the Trojansphere:
Student Body Right: "Let’s face it, at some point the guy will jump back to the NFL, it seems inevitable, but… Atlanta? Maybe the single worst job in the league right now? Seems a little nutty, if you ask me."
AOL Fanhouse: "It's... interesting to speculate why Carroll would leave a gravy job at USC for a massive rebuilding project in Atlanta."
Conquest Chronicles: "I am a little shocked that the Falcons would even entertain going after another college coach, regardless of [the coach's] success, after the whole Petrino mess. I have said before that I think Pete Carroll will end up back in the NFL but I'm not sure this is right fit for him. ... [But] I think this might the time for him to go. This is an itch he really wants to scratch and you will only get so many opportunities to make the move back into the NFL. Don't get me wrong I want to keep him as long as we can but we need to be realistic that sooner or later this will probably happen."
TrojanWire: "Miami, San Diego, San Francisco, Arizona and Houston have all courted the man, but so far no team has been able to woo him back over. ... [But now Atlanta] is supposedly offering what Pete wants most: full control of all personnel decisions for the Falcons. ... Pete has been quoted saying he'll 'never return' to the NFL, but who knows...if the conditions are right, any man has his price -- even Pete."
Scott Wolf: "About two weeks ago, I spoke to Carroll about the Falcons job and he was not bullish on it or the organization." And later, a quote from the USC sports information department: "There's nothing going on, no reason to even talk about it." Yeah right -- "Nothing going on . . . except an interview with the Atlanta Falcons today," Wolf adds.
If he goes he'll regret it, you can't have the same type of atmosphere in the pros you do in college.
Posted by: David K. | Jan 9, 2008 4:03:54 PM
carroll has nothing left to accomplish in college. he has unfinished business in the nfl where he really wasnt a bad coach. he deserves another shot with the big boys. while atlanta is a mess, he'll have full control over personnel and will have a draft loaded with high picks.
carroll needs to decide quickly for usc's sake with recruiting season in full swing and signing day not too far away. if he announces that hes going to atlanta, the urban meyers of the world are going to swoop in like vultures and try to poach whatever they can from that recruiting class.
really interesting stuff going on, but possibly really bad for usc fans. ask nebraska, miami, florida state, notre dame, alabama and others how quickly a top program can fall. we dont know what'll happen with usc, but if carroll leaves this becomes a crucial time for usc not to fall off.
Posted by: yea | Jan 9, 2008 4:18:40 PM
NOOOOOOooooooooooo...............!!!!!
Posted by: Antonia | Jan 9, 2008 4:38:43 PM
Damn, this seems like a horrible idea. He's got a great thing going at USC, and he was bad in the NFL. He has a decent seeming record, but those Patriots teams were loaded with talent and threw away games. I really hope he does stay at USC, where his skill at recruiting and teaching young players are what make him a great coach.
Posted by: Mike's brother Matt | Jan 9, 2008 4:54:13 PM
Every year it's the same bunk rumors. The Dolphins owner even flew to Costa Rica last off season, where PC was on vacation trying to court the great one.
*No DEAL!*
Posted by: Sandy Underpants | Jan 9, 2008 5:41:29 PM
Look at his strengths. He's a master recruiter (which counts for NOTHING in the pros until you actually win and can convince veterans to come and take a pay cut, ala Belichick); he's a master motivator of youth (this was a major turn-off to NFL veterans); and he is competent--at best--as a game strategist (2006 Rose Bowl, anyone?).
Out of the three above, which wil be taxed the most in the NFL?
Every January, I feel like I'm back in grad school, trying yet again to convince my house mate not to marry the 32 year-old waitress with the two kids.
I'm living in Groundhog Year.
Pete: DON'T DO IT, MAN.
Posted by: texasyank | Jan 9, 2008 6:03:44 PM
hahaha. I hate Pete Carrol (only because I hate USC, he actually did a really good thing for a family member of a friend), so sending him to the Negative Zone (the NFL, which I care little about), is awezome.
Posted by: 4-7 | Jan 9, 2008 6:07:44 PM
Atlanta would be a death sentence for Carroll's professional career. Arthur Blank is a great owner and has lots of money, but Atlanta is a hell-hole for the Falcons. The team has never been that good and it never will be because Georgians follow the Bulldogs and GT. They could care less about the Falcons.
Posted by: Mad Max, Esquire | Jan 9, 2008 6:45:07 PM
call re bet
Posted by: Mike T | Jan 9, 2008 7:32:16 PM
If this came true, I could not imagine a better situation. Pete could go and screw up the Falcons, my most hated NFL team even more, while USC would lose a good coach! Two in one blow!
Posted by: David Mathues | Jan 9, 2008 8:07:48 PM
A Mike Tran bet over Pete Carrol? Take it Loy - your record with Tran is pretty good!
I'm hearing speculation in the DC area of Pete Carrol to the Redskins, which would make more sense - Gibbs has left the team in pretty good shape. Why he would go to Atlanta is beyond me. I forgot about his total control stipulation, though, which I don't think Daniel Snyder would stand for. (He has done more surprising things in the past, but giving total control to his boyhood hero Joe Gibbs is different than giving total control to Carrol.)
Posted by: B. Minich | Jan 9, 2008 8:19:46 PM
He'd be stupid to go to Atlanta......Washington however.......
Posted by: gahrie | Jan 9, 2008 10:44:28 PM
B. Minich, I assure you that Brendan's betting record with the illustrious Mr. Tran is only good when little or no money is switching hands. When the greenbacks are on the line, it's a different story! Ha!
I'd be surprised if Pete went to the NFL. He seems happy in LA. And no one in their right mind can deny that he's one of the best coaches college football has seen. Why leave a good thing?
Posted by: Becky | Jan 9, 2008 10:58:11 PM
Yeah, I can't see him leaving USC. He's a fool if he does.
Posted by: kcatnd | Jan 9, 2008 11:43:09 PM
My understanding is that Pete's really happy coaching college. I'm basing this on something he tells his players - that their college football time is the best they'll have; if they get to the NFL, it's just another job.
Of course, I'm very much in favor of Pete staying at USC, so my analysis leans that way.
Posted by: Doc | Jan 10, 2008 12:59:41 AM
Stay in school Pete.
Posted by: Sandy Underpants | Jan 10, 2008 2:56:20 AM
Becky, what ever are you talking about? I would never bet real money on college sports... perish the thought...
Posted by: Brendan Loy | Jan 10, 2008 7:32:35 AM
My Dear Lady the NFL is not "just another job." Where else can a grown man make millions of dollars, playing a violent game on Sundays, be idolized by millions of Americans while dating a supermodel and looking dapper after every win in the post-game pressers?!?!? Nowhere! :>)
We are modern day god-like gladiators, adored by the masses. Talk shows, television networks, and billions of dollars in revenue are based around US. You people love us sooo much that it isn’t enough for you to just watch us perform – you have to base fantasy leagues around us as well! :>)
Why would Pete bail? The better question is why wouldn’t he? More $$$, more fame, and the chance to accomplish what he failed to do during his last NFL stint…WIN. We all know these coaches have huge, huge Egos. No matter what he does in the college ranks there will be some, unjustifiably so, who say, “yes, but he never won at the highest level.” I believe he should stay but in the end (be it this year or in the near future) he probably won’t…and then my Pats will crush him.
Posted by: Mr. Thomas Brady | Jan 10, 2008 10:35:00 AM
Who you calling a lady, bud?
But your point about huge egos in the NFL is aptly illustrated.
Posted by: Doc | Jan 10, 2008 10:48:02 AM
Mr. Thomas Brady,
Many of the things you say are true about Pro Football, however I do not think they are much of a draw for Pete who has done that, been there.
Ego may play a big part for many coaches but Pete, he is a horse of a different color.
He has a very Zen like quality to his thinking and motivations.
Coach Carroll loves the control he has with college football and knows that the NFL is
not nearly as fun as what he is doing now.
It was Pete's view on this that lead Matt to stay another year IMHO
That being said, if he does leave, I wish him well I just do not think it will happen.
Posted by: Antonia | Jan 10, 2008 2:29:28 PM