link <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>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. Carroll is currently on vacation in Hawaii. The Falcons' interest in talking to Carroll about their opening was first reported Tuesday night by ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli. Carroll, who has previously been a head coach in the NFL with the <span style="color:#000000">New York Jets</span> and <span style="color:#000000">New England Patriots</span>, is the biggest name on the list of Atlanta candidates In his first NFL head coaching stint, Carroll lasted just one season with the Jets, taking the team to a 6-10 record in 1994. He coached the Patriots for three seasons, 1997-99, and was 28-23, with one division title and two playoff berths. The Falcons suffered a bad experience this season with a coach hired from the college ranks, when Bobby Petrino, formerly of Louisville, resigned with three games remaining to fill the Arkansas vacancy. But unlike Petrino, who had been an NFL assistant for three seasons, Carroll has prior head coaching experience in the league and was an assistant coach and defensive coordinator for 12 years as well.</div>
I just don't see why Pete Carroll would leave such a good situation at USC. I realize there is that mentality to prove that he could go back to the NFL and succeed there. He is a good motivator, but I'm not convinced he can win big in the NFL where the talent level is so much closer from team to team.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Jan 9 2008, 05:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He's turned down better opportunities, so I don't see it happening.</div> They never offered full control in those situations. He said if he ever did go back, that is what he wants.
Correct. <span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Falcons will try, but likely fail, to lure Carroll away from USC </span>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Old Bob @ Jan 9 2008, 05:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>My sources tell me that if the Falcons played USC tonight, Southern Cal would be favored by 6.</div> Just 6!!? Carroll IMO would be nuts to leave the Trojans.
