Schutt Sports I-A Coach of the Year Finalists

PETE CARROLL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA When Pete Carroll arrived at USC in 2001 with a 33-31 career in four years as a head coach with the New York Jets and New England Patriots, Trojan fans were understandably skeptical. Over the past three years, Carroll has offered plenty of proof, with a 29-9 record that includes a 12-1 record in 2003 and the national championship from The Associated Press final poll. “I was very fortunate to get the opportunity to come here,” Carroll said. “It’s worked out great. Everything about it has been terrific.” Carroll, a 51-year old coaching veteran who built his reputation as a major college and NFL defensive assistant, inherited a once-proud program that had fallen on tough times, assembled an outstanding staff of proven assistants, starting with veteran offensive coordinator Norm Chow, and found a group of young men ready to work and learn. “I