USC Coach Carroll going to the NFL
Pete Carroll announced that he would be moving on to coach the NFL's Seattle Seahawks after nine seasons as head coach for the USC Trojans Monday at USC's Heritage Hall.
Die-hard Trojan fans wiped away tears as Coach Pete Carroll announced he's heading to Washington to take over the NFL's Seattle Seahawks.
One die-hard Trojan fan says her relatives know not to die or get married during football season, because she won’t be there! Pat Caneer was at the University of Southern California when Pete Carroll announced that he’s going to return to professional ball.
“Right on baby!” screamed supporters at the University of Southern California's Heritage Hall.
“Awhhh… bless his heart. I said I wasn’t gonna do this!” said Pat Caneer. The 73-year-old retired sales manager already got her goodbye hug and last photo with Coach Carroll, but she still choked up.
Caneer got hooked on Trojan football 66 years ago when her grandfather took her to a USC homecoming game. She’s been Carroll’s biggest fan since he took over the team nine seasons ago.
“I see him every Wednesday before game day,” said Caneer.
Caneer said she routinely drove 40 minutes from Garden Grove to bring cookies to the team. Coach Carroll nicknamed them, “Win Forever Cookies.”
"Coach likes chocolate chip," says Caneer. "The boys up there, some of the coaches like the brownies and the peanut butter, so I just do a variety. I do like 78 cookies and split them between two bowls. One’s defensive coaches, one’s offensive coaches.”
“These marvelous memories that we share in the time that we were here are unforgettable," said Coach Carroll. Carroll thanked Trojan fans and the USC family at his last news conference on campus.
Carroll says even though he's moving to Washington, his heart, and his new club, remain committed to "A Better L.A." Carroll started the South Los Angeles outreach organization in 2003.
“The club I’m going to is also making a statement," says Carroll. "It was all part of the arrangement. They will continue to give the support that we need to keep this thing sustaining. The job that we’re after to do is a job that very few people are willing to do.”
Carroll said he’s taking the pro football job because he loves new challenges, not because of possible NCAA sanctions or suspected tension with USC administrators. His new title will be head coach and vice president of football operations for the National Football League‘s Seattle Seahawks.
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