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In case you missed it USC 101: Meet Pete Carroll (Part I)

By the end of 2000, the University of Southern California was looking to go in a new direction after three mediocre seasons with Paul Hackett at the helm. Pete Carroll was considered by many as a long shot for the job, but after three candidates turned the position down, USC took a leap of faith with Carroll and offered him the job. Carroll accepted a five-year agreement that would pay him around $1 million dollars annually.

There was an incredible backlash when the hiring of Pete Carroll was announced, mainly by many Trojans' faithful. With alumni griping and newspapers criticizing, things were not starting out well for Carroll at USC. However, by the end of his first year, the doubts of many were erased and Carroll began tuning the engine on what has become his extraordinary Southern California machine.

What has Pete Carroll done since he was hired at USC? Oh, how about an 88-15 overall record, two national championship teams (in 2003-2004), all the while racking up seven consecutive AP Top Four finishes. Still not impressed? Carroll has also led the Trojans to seven straight BCS bowl appearances, seven straight years of being Pac-10 Champions, as well as turning out three Heisman Trophy winners at USC (Carson Palmer, Matt Leinert, and Reggie Bush). To add insult to injury for those initial Carroll doubters, Carroll now holds the honor of coaching the only team in history to win three consecutive Rose Bowl games.

Don't be concerned if you think that Carroll might he pining for another shot at a top head-coaching gig in the National Football League. Carroll could not be happier with the USC Trojans and he signed a contract extension in 2006 to stay at Southern Cal, a contract that includes payment of more than $4 million dollars a season.

While it is his coaching style that often gets the credit for Carroll's success on the field, Pete has definitely made a name for himself in the recruiting circuits. Time and time again, the Trojans have come away with some of the best recruiting classes in the country, piling up big name athletes and recruits left and right. It is a testament to the strength of Pete Carroll's recruiting when his third-string players could play first-string for almost any other team in the nation (not to mention their not-to-be-mentioned cross-town rivals).

To say the least, Pete Carroll's tenure as the head coach at the University of Southern California has been nothing short of amazing. His combination of aggressive play-calling, coupled with his laid-back, jokester-like mentality, has allowed Carroll to connect with his players on a positive level, which has paid dividends both on and off the field. In case you are wondering when Pete Carroll's luck will run out at USC, don’t hold your breath, Carroll has locked up another stellar recruiting class that includes the number one prospect in the nation, the sensational Matt Barkley. It looks to be yet another fun year for the USC Trojans, which can only mean bad things for the rest of the competition.

Stay tuned for your 2009-2010 USC Football Previews here at Examiner.com

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USC 101: History of the Song Girl

USC 101: Meet Pete Carroll (Part I)