Special note - SB Nation's Andrew Sharp makes the case that Petey might be jumping off a sinking ship

--------------------------

Troy is falling?  Nope, not the spunky school from Alabama-

Rumor's been swirling all weekend, but according to Scott Wolf, it's official. With Pete Carroll today assuming the head coaching position with the NFL's Seahawks, an era comes to an end in Los Angeles.

During his tenure as Trojan head coach, the former Ohio State assistant coach has an impressive list of accomplishments- Two national championships, seven consecutive Pac-10 titles, three Heisman Trophy winners, and a 2003 coach of the year award. His record was 97-19 and this year was the first non- BCS bowl appearance since his first year as head coach. There are currently over forty Trojan players in the NFL.

However, this season was also one for the record books. While most teams would be ecstatic with a 9-4 season, Dr. Saturday highlights the ways that this year was one of the worst ever for the Men of Troy and their fans.

With all the success, though, the Trojan program has often had to deal with controversy regarding it's players behavior on and off the field. Our friends at Bruins Nation always do an (understandably) thorough job cataloging these incidents- some"highlights" after the jump:

• On August 13, 2005, 10 veteran USC players were involved in a hazing incident where they shaved the head of freshman quarterback Mark Sanchez.  Also, what started out as a water fight between USC players, escalated into an all-out brawl as it spiraled out of control.  Reportedly, there was significant damage to the players dorms as players were thrown through walls.
• On November 2, 2005, USC linebacker Rey Maualuga was arrested for investigation of misdemeanor battery after punching a man at an off-campus Halloween party (twice, without provocation).  A witness at the scene reportedly quoted Maualuga as stating "I own the police."  Carroll took no disciplinary action, and Maualuga played the following weekend against Stanford.  One USC pundit observed at the time that "discipline is Coach Carroll's number one weakness."  
• On December 21, 2005, USC starting quarterback Matt Leinart had his eligibility temporarily revoked after appearing in a promotional segment on ESPN earlier that month, a violation of an NCAA rule.  Leinart was reinstated shortly thereafter.  One observer claims the NCAA was just concerned about money.
• On January 1, 2006, reporters from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and CBS Sportline reportedly told the USC football team about potential recruiting violations stemming from visits by USC recruits to Papadakis Taverna, a Greek restaurant owned by former USC linebacker John Papadakis.  As of July 2007, the investigation by USC compliance officials continued.
  
• On January 21, 2006, USC quarterback Matt Leinart was cited by the Pac-10 for working out with his own coach using school facilities.  According to the NCAA, a student athlete cannot utilize the school's facilities to work out with a coach, unless the coach is affiliated with the university.
• On April 21, 2006, the family of USC running back Reggie Bush was implicated by numerous separate media reports as having lived in a house purchased by a San Diego-area man with ties to a sports agent and a tribal casino.  Both the Pac-10 and the NCAA have launched an investigation into potential NCAA violations in connnection with this matter, which is pending.  More recent reports in this fast evolving story are here, here, and here.   Yahoo Sports, which is responsible for much of the investigative reporting on this issue, has set up a page dedicated to its eight-month probe here.
• On April 30, 2006, it was reported that USC compliance officials were investigating whether an NCAA rule was violated because receiver Dwayne Jarrett failed to pay approximately $10,000 for his half of the rent for an upscale apartment he shared with former quarterback Matt Leinart.  USC claims that no rules were violated, though it was initially reported that Jarret may have to sit out a portion of the 2006-07 season.  Jarrett ultimately avoided punishment and was the 45th pick in the 2007 NFL draft.  After a disappointing season, Jarrett was arrested on March 11, 2008 and charged with driving under the influence.
• In August of 2006, USC defensive back Brandon Ting quit the football team after reportedly testing postive for steroid use.  His twin brother, Ryan, also a defensive back on the USC football team, quit the team just days later, claiming that he wanted to concentrate on preparing for medical school, and was never tested.  Interestingly, Arthur Ting, father of the twins, is a Bay Area orthopedic surgeon who has reportedly appeared as a witness before a grand jury considering possible perjury charges against baseball's Barry Bonds, one of Arthur's clients.  This incident finally triggered some real interest by the LA Times.
• In January 2007, a federal investigation into extortion claims by former USC running back Reggie Bush and his family revealed the existence of taped converstations that could confirm Bush took cash and gifts while he was playing football for USC.   It was also reported that nearly $280,000 in cash, rent and gifts were allegedly given to Bush and his family.  The information came to light following the issuance of grand jury subpoenas to multiple witness by the U.S. District Attorney's office in San Diego. Both the NCAA and Pac-10 continue to investigate.  Also, more recent articles suggest that Reggie Bush was involved earlier and more deeply than previously reported in efforts to create the sports marketing agency at the center of the continuing controversy.  The investigation has, to date, yielded no definitive proof that USC officials had knowledge of Bush's misconduct, though Bush was nevertheless asked not to attend the Trojans' Rose Bowl matchup against Michigan on New Year's Day.
• On February 9, 2007, USC compliance officials announced they were investigating whether an NCAA violation occurred during the Trojans' pursuit of Louisiana prep star running back Joe McKnight.  The investigation followed reports that McKnight had told reporters that USC coach Pete Carroll had set up a conference call so he and high school coach J.T. Curtis could be assured by ex-Trojan running back Reggie Bush that USC would not be punished for a separate NCAA investigation into improper benefits allegedly taken by Bush.  Carroll later denied that any call took place, and Curtis said that McKnight misspoke.   According to NCAA officials, if USC got Bush's help in recruiting McKnight, it would be considered a "secondary violation" of recruiting rules.
• In the first week of August, 2007, there were new developments in the NCAA investigation of former USC running back Reggie Bush, when it was reported that audio recordings that allegedly establish an improper financial relationship between Bush and a would-be sports marketing agent were played for NCAA investigators.  The tapes were revealed after Lloyd Lake, a partner in failed sports marketing agency New Era Sports enterprise, filed a lawsuit against Bush and his family, seeking to recoup nearly $300,000 in benefits Lake claims he helped provide.   Lake's allegations were further detailed in January 2008, with the publication of Don Yaeger's book Tarnished Heisman, which chronicled various allegations swirling around Bush's USC tenure, including claims that Bush received $47,000 out of an overall $291,000 that went to his family from sports marketer Lake.  That same month, published reports contained Lake's (unsubstantiated) allegation that USC coaches knew Bush was taking money in violation of NCAA rules.
• On April 6, 2008, USC sophomore tailback Joe McKnight was held out of the team's scrimmage and it was announced that he would miss the final week of spring workouts because he was academically ineligible to participate.  McKnight had dropped a class, leaving him without the 12 units required for eligibility.
• On May 2, 2008, the judge in the civil litigation between former USC running back Reggie Bush and Lloyd Lake ordered the parties to appear in June 2008 for their depositions, and denied Bush's attempts to impose a "gag order" to prevent the deposition transcripts from being shared with the NCAA.  The judge also set a trial date of March 13, 2009.

Again, this great work is through the efforts of SBN's Bruins Nation; their total list also includes a lot more off the field issues and concerns with the USC basketball team.

I would only add what we already know: Allegations regarding running back Joe McKnight's usage of a Range Rover are currently being investigated by the Trojan compliance office; These concerns led to McKnight being suspended for USC's Emerald Bowl win. He has subsequently chosen to forgo his last year of elligibility and has submitted his name for the NFL Draft.

While there are these types of controversies around many programs, the level/amount and NCAA's inability/unwillingness to act has created the appearance that the USC program, under Pete Carroll, has somehow managed to be "above the law", as it were.

It has always been my contention that much of this has to do with the economics of the matter- USC has been the major football program west of Denver, and the only major football entity in the second largest television market.  As such, sanctions or other responses that would hamper the Trojans would also impact the revenue from television and other venues.

There are those who are speculating that Carroll's move might be out of fear of upcoming sanctions; the recent response of the University to the allegations regarding the basketball program indicate, many feel, that the Trojans are trying to respond in a way that will minimize any NCAA decisions. Carroll, the logic goes, wants to get out of LA before his program is limited; especially, if reports are to be believed, the NCAA turned down USC's recommendation of self sanctioning for the football program.

While this may be true, USC may also be encouraging this move to distance themselves from the investigation into the football program. Like with Floyd, they could respond with limited sanctions and position themselves as being clear of the problems of the past- "That coach isn't here anymore..." Some of this thinking may be why USC's athletic director is distancing himself from his head football coach. The Wiz of Odds thinks that this strained relationship may be the very reason Coach Carroll would consider leaving; he doesn't feel the respect and support from his new boss that he believes he deserves.

Again this is purely specuation- it may finally be the opportunity for him to move to an NFL position where he would have complete control, something he didn't have in New England or with the Jets.  And, we all know that coach Carroll wants to compete at the highest levels, all the time.

It will be interesting to see how this might impact the Trojans for the future; while replacement names are already being bandied about, there are concerns regarding whether or not USC will be able to close on the pack of five star recruits that typically commit to Los Angeles. Especially when none of the Trojan staff will answer their cell phones when recruits call them.

I will also be curious to see how his current players respond to this decision. Hopefully, they show more grace than Carroll himself has in the past:

Or, from another perspective: