USC football coach, Pete Carroll
Pete Carroll did something that has astounded me and others who are fans of him and USC.
His QB, Mark Sanchez decided to enter the NFL draft and the young man stood up today and made his announcement. His voice was cracking as he said good by to his college days and teammates.
Carroll was seated at the table on the dais and when he got a microphone in front of him he made a short statement wishing Sanchez luck with the caveat that Sanchez would have a tougher time by not returning to school.
He got up to leave the conference and press members started shouting questions to him.
He didn't return to his seat. Rather he stood up and leaned over the microphone. He reiterated that he strongly disagreed with Sanchez's decision.
He didn't leave it there however. He went on to speak in specifics about the reasons for his view. He talked about Sanchez starting too few games at USC for the NFL's taste.
He said that he counseled Sanchez not to get caught up in the "euphoria surrounding the Rose Bowl" in which Sanchez joined the others in the Rose Bowl records books when he threw for more than 400 yards, ran for one touchdown and threw four others.
In Carroll's view there is more to learn to maximize the young man's chances to get picked high in the draft and make a roster. I'm sure he spoke with scouts and others in the NFL about it all.
Sanchez then got back on the microphone and in a very steady tone assured everyone that he had listened to Coach Carroll but feels he is ready for the challenges ahead.
This is unprecedented stuff. Perhaps Carroll's ego was bruised because his advice was ignored. Carroll wants his athletes to reflect well on him as a coach.
He might think if Sanchez is a bust at the combine or teams look at film and aren't as impressed as they need to be to draft him high, then Carroll's reputation as one of the premier coaches in college football might be at risk.
No matter what the reason, this is just stunning to say the least. A young man for whom Carroll professed affection was hung out to dry in front of media, fans and family only to be embarrassed by the mentor and coach he relied on for years.
This wasn't the forum for Carroll to express his displeasure. This was Mark Sanchez's moment. BTW: He has 72 hours to change his mind and not lose his college eligibility. Think any bridges were burned today? I do.
Click here to watch video of Sanchez's statement from today.
Our USC Trojans Examiner covers the announcement, right here.
Comments
The concerner stone of journalism has gone out the door for you. The season has yet to start, and you have already declared that USC "is in deep doo-doo". Envy has eaten you up on the inside, and you just waited for any shred of negativity to waste the Examiner.com bytes
I just watched the video and I can't believe Carroll said what he said. To publically say that basically he feels his starting QB from last year won't succeed in the NFL by leaving school early is just completely inappropriate. I have lost all respect that I had for Pete Carroll.
Steve: I opined that Caroll might think he is in "doo-doo" not that I think so. To be sure no one else misunderstand the way you did I changed the wording. Thanks for reading and sharing your comments.
Wow, Paula. I'm sure you've NEVER been frustrated and lost your cool in the emotion of position you feel strongly about.
Here's a coach who gives his team his all, who is always trying to get his kids as much experience as possible to be successful, and the kid isn't listening to him.
I guess that might be a little frustrating. Just ask Mike Williams. Upon reflection, I'm sure Coach Carroll will feel that did not mean to belittle Mark's moment.
Also, how you come to figure that Carroll is worried about his reputation as a molder of QB's is completely undermined by Carroll's argument that he's not ready.
Matt: I have acted inappropriately during my career and I was called on it. He will be on local radio at 5:30 PT to explain himself. I'm sure he'll apologize which he should.
I totally agree with your article.
I rewatched the announcement and disagree with your assessment completely. There is nothing unprecedented in this that Pete hasn't said before about getting enough PT and maximizing your experience. He's disappointed and angry with this decision. So what? I don't think he embarrassed him by pointing out what nearly all the NFL scouts will say.
Meanwhile, you've belittled Pete Carroll in this article as petty, ego-driven and selfish.
Can you also explain how you think his "reputation as one of the premier coaches in college football might be at risk" if he's advising Mark to stay and get more polished?
I'm on Paula's side on this. The kid's gotta do what's right for him and his loved ones. Pete calling him out on that decision at this particular time and place is unfortunate and inappropriate.
Matt: www.am570radio.com. Tune in at 5:30 PT to listen to Pete rehash the day.
I think it was completely selfish of Carroll to go off like that ... Sanchez has to take his moment while it is there, just as Matthew Stafford had to do ... Sanchez is likely to be the #1 QB drafted in April ... how is staying going to help him exceed #1? How is staying another year and possibly getting himself hurt or having an off-season and diminishing his shine for NFL scouts going to help Sanchez? It isn't--Carroll is thinking about his program, not what's best for Sanchez. However, I am sure Paula is right: He has probably seen that clip over and over and is feeling like a complete jerk ... I'm sure he will apologize, and, because he is a professional, he will recognize that he deserves the negative press he will be getting from his actions ... Paula is absolutely correct.
Wow, what a surprise...gawd that man is a douche.
Mechele, he's projected as the 2nd QB taken, in the second round. He has 10 starters coming back on offense. He has the opportunity of a lifetime in showing how he has matured and would likely go as a high 1st round pick with a successful pick.
I am a huge Sanchez fan. I have seen him in practice at Jones field for years now and love the kid and his work ethic. Having watched him since high school, I know his capability.
His choosing to follow his dream is admirable but short sighted. Pete Carroll is in no way trying to undermine him. If anything, he's just mad knowing that Pete's interests and Mark's interests are best served by him staying -- Pete's (because apparently putting a world caliber defense won't get you to the BCS championship) and Mark's (because he gets the chance to improve his stock).
The insinuation that Pete is only thinking about himself and the program is lame and is spoken by someone without any knowledge about USC or the program.
If Pete Carroll felt this strongly about Mark Sanchez's decision, why did he go to the news conference? With the possibility that media would ask him a question that he felt he needed to answer, wouldn't he have been better served to not be there? By being there and answering the question honestly, he took away from Sanchez's moment. Sanchez has the right to leave early and Carroll has the right to disagree, but that moment was Sanchez's. The whole situation could've been handled better if Carroll/USC said the coach would have a comment in another day or two, at which time the coach could've told the world that he didn't agree with his now former QB.
ANd here I thought only people that said "gawd" were douche-bags.
If Pete Carroll felt this strongly about Mark Sanchez's decision, why did he go to the news conference? With the possibility that media would ask him a question that he felt he needed to answer, wouldn't he have been better served to not be there? By being there and answering the question honestly, he took away from Sanchez's moment. Sanchez has the right to leave early and Carroll has the right to disagree, but that moment was Sanchez's. The whole situation could've been handled better if Carroll/USC said the coach would have a comment in another day or two, at which time the coach could've told the world that he didn't agree with his now former QB.
Well, Andy, if you know anything about Pete Carroll and USC you'd know that he cares deeply about Mark and his future and it's no different than your father getting mad at you for a bad choice.
That's what you saw. A guy who's disappointed and who, in Pete's mind, left 10 million dollars and a potentially amazing offensive team next year without the one guy who sets the whole tone.
Andy, have you ever been grilled every week by the media every week and gotten a little hot under the collar because you've been giving someone the right advice and they don't take it? Thought not.
Well, Andy, if you know anything about Pete Carroll and USC you'd know that he cares deeply about Mark and his future and it's no different than your father getting mad at you for a bad choice.
That's what you saw. A guy who's disappointed and who, in Pete's mind, left 10 million dollars and a potentially amazing offensive team next year without the one guy who sets the whole tone.
Andy, have you ever been grilled every week by the media every week and gotten a little hot under the collar because you've been giving someone the right advice and they don't take it? Thought not.
I watched the full press conference earlier today and I just didn't see it that way, at all. Pete wished Mark and his family well. Everything Pete said was right on the money.
Mark should have come back, he is selling himself at a discount right now. If I'm an NFL owner, I don't care how much talent a player has or which school he came from, I want to see some more experience if I'm going to lay out millions of dollars over several years. As bright as he was this year, if Mark would've played his senior year, he would be in the Heisman hunt ,SC is in the national title picture, and his stock would be much higher than it is today.
As for Pete's ego being bruised, his team will be ranked in the top 5 going into game 1 next season, and the next Trojan Heisman trophy winner is probably walking on campus right now, that is a tribute to his ability to recruit and coach, I think his ego is just fine. If my biggest problem is players leaving early for the NFL, that's I problem I want to have.
It's about money for Carroll the same way it is for Sanchez.
If Sanchez wants to go to the NFL and see if he's got what it takes to make it, and Carroll really cared about him, I think he would not have said anything.
After all, showing a PUBLIC lack of faith in Sanchez's ability to make it isn't exactly going to get more NFL teams interested in him. I think that Carroll was trying to devalue him to get him to come back. A classless act.
I agree with Paula.
So if and when Pete C. says he is leaving college for the NFL should his athletic director remind Pete and everyone else how most college coaches who opt for the pros fall on their faces on NFL sidelines and come crawling back to coach the kids after their failures?
Tom: here's an analogy. A dad who is asked to make the toast at his daughter's engagement party. He believes she's making a huge mistake with the guy. He has expressed himself in private. Does he ruin the party when he gets the microphone in front of him? There's a time and place for hurtful honesty.
The mutual admiration society between Paula and Tom continues!
Here's another analogy. A dad is asked to make a toast at his daughter's engagement party. He believes she is making a huge mistake with this guy, because this guy is known to be unstable and he doesn't think they'll make it together. Then there's another guy who she also loves who's a lot more stable and is going to hand her 10 million dollars the day they walk down the aisle together. The father has done his research and knows she likely live a much more secure and ultimately happier life with guy #2.
Being young, the girl chooses guy #1. The dad is visibly upset at the engagement party, but wishes them the best and says he supports her decision even though it's clear he's struggling with it. There's a time and a place for hurtful honesty, but sometimes we're human.
Sanchez is obviously looking out for himself. He enters himself in the draft he'll definitely get 15 mil guaranteed at least. There are obviously teams that he can go to and start right away. Lets hope he doesn't end up like Matt Leinart...
Mark Prov: I'm sure Sanchez hopes so too.
Carroll showed no class, even for a Trojan.
And that's saying something.
The only reason a 5-star recruit goes to a big-time college football program is to go into the NFL and be drafted as high as possible. I've seen updated mock drafts that have sanchez as the #1 pick. Pete Carroll has a giant ego that I don't think Trojan fans see. Not only that, but it may hurt Sanchez's draft stock, having the coach who knows his game best telling anyone who listens how not-ready he is. If I'm a recruit, I'm going to go to a school that has a coach that will support me whether I come out after my junior or senior. What a garbage, classless move by Carroll.
Lets all try and look on the bright side;
An a brisk October Saturday afternoon next year, The Oregon Ducks are going to tear the Trojans apart.
For about three and a half hours, you'll get a chance to see the real "Always ComPETE" as he watches helplessly from the sidelines.
To see what I mean, go to YouTube and search: "Pete Carroll Mike Bellotti" - you'll remember what I'm talking about.
Tim: Carroll is unapologetic despite the huge blow back he got. Ridiculous
Great prediction Coach Brooks (from Jan 19 of this year)
Coach Brooks says:
Lets all try and look on the bright side;
An a brisk October Saturday afternoon next year, The Oregon Ducks are going to tear the Trojans apart.
For about three and a half hours, you'll get a chance to see the real "Always ComPETE" as he watches helplessly from the sidelines.
To see what I mean, go to YouTube and search: "Pete Carroll Mike Bellotti" - you'll remember what I'm talking about.
January 19, 9:42 AM
Carroll looks like pretty smart now and the rest of you look like idots. Sanchez has showed that he is not ready for the NFL.
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