I would think he has ties to the community as well. Or is that just a facade?

Maybe he thinks that the NCAA is going to come down hard on USC and he doesn't want to be there when it does.

Oh he does, he does a bunch of community work, was born and raised there. You'd think that job is the ultimate for him and it can't get any better, but if he leaves that's on him.

In basketball sure, in football you'd think if something was going to come of all the Bush stuff it would have happened by now it's been 4 years, unless you think we're going to be discussing Reggie Bush at SC well after Bush is retired.

That would be hte only thing I could think of, but they haven't done anything to USC when they've been caught red-handed.

The "lack of institutional control" issue could make life at USC worse than it's been.

If Carroll wasn't atleast considering the Seahawks job Bates would already be with the Bears.

I've said this before, and on Patriots' message boards where not many agree with me -- I'm not sure the book is written on Pete Carroll sucking as an NFL coach.

His one year stint with the Jets proved nothing.

His three years with the Patriots -- yes his teams steadily declined. 10-6 to 9-7 to 8-8 before he got the axe by Kraft in favor of Belichick. BUT his GM -- the reviled Bobby Grier, undermined his authority at every turn. It's well known that Willie McGinest and other Patriots veterans could "go up the back stairs" to Grier's office anytime they wanted to and that Grier wasn't backing Carroll up.

Also, the "talent" that Grier drafted in the '97-'98 drafts was an absolute laughinstock. Beyond horrendous.

It was very telling that there were more Parcells-era players ('93-'96) than Grier error ('97-'99) when the Patriots won their three Super Bowls.

no way he leaves a job at USC where he will probably never be fired. That's probably the best coaching job in all of sports.

Carroll is not an NFL HC.

Yeah, I'm sure the NCAA is going to beat its glamour program down.

This is true...he coaches at USC.

Would not surprise me with all the rumored NCAA sanctions possible/likely...

I am going to go out on a limb here and suggest a very large payday will have something to do with him leaving if he does.

I heard the local sports talk guys say earlier this week that there was a change in the Bush case. They referenced a recent hearing that allowed the NCAA to now use depositions that had evidence that Bush's family did accept the house. I had to get out of my car so I didn't hear the whole discussion.

Then there is the McKight investigation.

USC thought they could sacrifice their basketball team to save the football program. I don't think it will work.

Plus, I heard Carroll was going through a divorce. Maybe he thinks the time is right to get out of town.

USC must think there is something to it because they are having their boosters begin to court Mike Rley.

Carroll is a dumb*** if he does it.