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The Seattle Seahawksfired Pete Carroll two short years ago. They are now Super Bowl champions. It's primarily an NFL story, but it contains lessons for USC football and other college programs trying to get over the hump in a profound way.
Loyalty ought to be rewarded in life on many levels, but in professional sports or big-time college sports, there comes a point when loyalty -- if not accompanied by a high-enough level of performance -- can't continue to be seen as the top virtue in the building. There's a way to take care of people and reward them for loyalty, but not accept less than the best.
Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson had some great times together. They won a Super Bowl together. They trusted each other and went to the top of the NFL together. Yet, there came a point when Russell Wilson's performance did not merit retention. Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider were willing to cut the cord with the Seattle Seahawks' longtime quarterback. That trade of Russ to the Denver Broncos netted several players who were instrumental in winning Super Bowl LX.
What happened with Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson then happened with the Seahawks and Carroll a few years later. Pete Carroll gave the Seahawks some great years -- the best in franchise history -- but that didn't mean he was the right coach for the future. Owner Jody Allen cut the cord and made the tough choice. Two short years later, the Seahawks are back on top of the NFL as Super Bowl champions.
Do we really need to explain this point about loyalty? No. We can move on. You get the idea.
It's really important and positive that Gary Patterson was allowed to fill out his own staff on defense. It's a sign Lincoln Riley has learned his "Alex Grinch" lesson about loyalty.
If USC doesn't make the College Football Playoff this season, Jen Cohen should not feel any unique sense of loyalty toward Lincoln Riley. She has to make the tough choice if she needs to.
USC has turned out star receivers under Dennis Simmons, but quality depth in the receiver room has been lacking. USC had only two elite receivers last season. The Trojans didn't have nearly the depth they did in 2002, when Tahj Washington, Kyle Ford, and Brenden Rice made important plays behind WR1 Jordan Addison and WR2 Mario Williams. Dennis Simmons needs to do more this year, and if he doesn't, Lincoln Riley (should he get the chance to coach USC in 2027) must consider a change.
Lincoln Riley cut the cord with longtime strength coach Bennie Wylie, which enabled Trumain Carroll to come in as the new strength coach. If Carroll (Trumain, not Pete) knocks it out of the park, it will be a sign of how much an organization can gain from valuing excellence over loyalty or familiarity.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Seahawks fired Pete Carroll, then won Super Bowl - take note, USC
Continue reading...
Loyalty has its limits
Loyalty ought to be rewarded in life on many levels, but in professional sports or big-time college sports, there comes a point when loyalty -- if not accompanied by a high-enough level of performance -- can't continue to be seen as the top virtue in the building. There's a way to take care of people and reward them for loyalty, but not accept less than the best.
Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson
Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson had some great times together. They won a Super Bowl together. They trusted each other and went to the top of the NFL together. Yet, there came a point when Russell Wilson's performance did not merit retention. Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider were willing to cut the cord with the Seattle Seahawks' longtime quarterback. That trade of Russ to the Denver Broncos netted several players who were instrumental in winning Super Bowl LX.
Seattle Seahawks and Pete Carroll
What happened with Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson then happened with the Seahawks and Carroll a few years later. Pete Carroll gave the Seahawks some great years -- the best in franchise history -- but that didn't mean he was the right coach for the future. Owner Jody Allen cut the cord and made the tough choice. Two short years later, the Seahawks are back on top of the NFL as Super Bowl champions.
Lincoln Riley and Alex Grinch
Do we really need to explain this point about loyalty? No. We can move on. You get the idea.
Gary Patterson hiring his own guys
It's really important and positive that Gary Patterson was allowed to fill out his own staff on defense. It's a sign Lincoln Riley has learned his "Alex Grinch" lesson about loyalty.
Jen Cohen and Lincoln Riley
If USC doesn't make the College Football Playoff this season, Jen Cohen should not feel any unique sense of loyalty toward Lincoln Riley. She has to make the tough choice if she needs to.
Lincoln Riley and Dennis Simmons
USC has turned out star receivers under Dennis Simmons, but quality depth in the receiver room has been lacking. USC had only two elite receivers last season. The Trojans didn't have nearly the depth they did in 2002, when Tahj Washington, Kyle Ford, and Brenden Rice made important plays behind WR1 Jordan Addison and WR2 Mario Williams. Dennis Simmons needs to do more this year, and if he doesn't, Lincoln Riley (should he get the chance to coach USC in 2027) must consider a change.
Trumain Carroll
Lincoln Riley cut the cord with longtime strength coach Bennie Wylie, which enabled Trumain Carroll to come in as the new strength coach. If Carroll (Trumain, not Pete) knocks it out of the park, it will be a sign of how much an organization can gain from valuing excellence over loyalty or familiarity.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Seahawks fired Pete Carroll, then won Super Bowl - take note, USC
Continue reading...
