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Former USC head coach Pete Carroll headed back to the NFL

Erik-McKinneyby:Erik McKinney•about 14 hours•

ErikTMcKinney

USC Trojans head coach Pete Carroll calls a play during the fourth quarter against the California Golden Bears at Memorial Stadium
USC Trojans head coach Pete Carroll calls a play during the fourth quarter against the California Golden Bears at Memorial Stadium. The Trojans defeated the Golden Bears 30-3. (Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)

Former USC head coach Pete Carroll is set to become the new head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders after multiple reports peg him as having signed a three-year deal with the NFL franchise.

Carroll will become the oldest coach in NFL history when he begins his tenure but energy and enthusiasm have never been an issue for him. He’s one of three coaches to have won both a college national championship and a Super Bowl.

This will be Carroll’s fourth NFL team. He spent just one year with the New York Jets in 1994 and then three seasons with the New England Patriots. Carroll spent one year out of football, reshaping his coaching plans and philosophy before landing at USC ahead of the 2001 season. USC went 6-6 in his first season but then turned into a dynasty. The Trojans won at least 11 games and finished no lower than No. 4 in the final AP poll in seven-straight seasons. USC won two National Championships and two Heisman Trophies during that run.

Carroll left for the Seattle Seahawks following a less-successful 2009 season as the NFL franchise offered him complete control of all personnel moves. He then became the winningest coach in Seahawks history, on top of 10 playoff victories and a Super Bowl win.

It’ll be a clear challenge for Carroll. The Raiders finished 4-13 last season and winning two of their final three games put them in a tough spot in this upcoming draft. They likely need a quarterback but have the pick No. 6 in a draft without many options likely available at that spot.

The Raiders have not won a playoff game or finished first in the AFC West since their run to the Super Bowl in 2002. He is set to become the fifth head coach of the Raiders since the team relocated to Las Vegas in 2020.

Carroll joins an elite group of coaches in the AFC West, including Andy Reid of the Chiefs, Sean Payton of the Broncos and Jim Harbaugh of the Chargers. It’ll be fascinating to watch the Chargers – Raiders rivalry continue with two coaches who have a history together, dating back to Harbaugh running up the score against Carroll while the two were at Stanford and USC, respectively, in the 2009 contest referred to as the “What’s your deal?” game.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz