George Aiken from Atlanta, GA e-mails in, "Isn't it interesting that USC is about to be bitch-slapped with all kinds of NCAA violations (serious ones) and all of a sudden Pete Carroll and his coaches appear sipping Starbucks coffee in Seattle?"

This has been one of the most controversial topics in sports since it was first reported that Pete Carroll was in talks to become the next Seahawks coach. Carroll is counting his lucky stars that Mark McGwire picked yesterday to come clean about his use of steroids and HGH (surprise!). The revelation has taken a significant chunk out of the coverage of the Carroll/USC/Seattle saga.

With the NCAA likely to "bitch-slap" the Trojans with some sort of probation, whoever eventually takes over head coaching duties will have a mess on his hands from the get-go. It will be vitally important to the Trojans' next few seasons that they keep their current 2010 recruiting class together. It's likely going to be one of their last classes before the sanctions come.

Dillon Baxter, D.J. Morgan and Kyle Prater have already reneged on their commitment. But don't worry Trojans fans, Randall Telfer, a four star USC tight end recruit, created a Facebook page aimed at keeping the currently 8th ranked class together.

Ok, back to Carroll. There's no question that the timing of his trek up the coast is a bit fishy, but the coach does bring up a valid point when he says, "There was never going to be a good time [to leave]." Carroll also denies leaving the post because of the imminent controversy that will surround the school for the next few months as the Reggie Bush saga unfolds, but of course that's coming from Carroll who like any good coach is looking to avoid controversy and drama as best he can. I don't know if it'll work.

Carroll has said that he had long ago given up hope of returning the NFL, and the Seattle offer "came out of nowhere." It's hard to blame the guy for leaving for the pros when he hasn't really made a secret of his desire to one day return.

Carroll, though, had the opportunity to join the ranks of Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno as beloved head coaches at their respective universities. Carroll, like Bowden and Paterno with their Seminoles and Nittany Lions, built the Trojans into what they are today. Sure USC had been considered among the blue bloods of the sport, but as I've touched upon, when he took over they were bottom scrapers. He blew that chance; let's see how he does in his next go-around in the big leagues.

Some in Trojan nation may feel animosity towards Carroll at this point, but as time goes by emotions will settle and fans as well as those within the program will once again hold the coach in high regard. After all, he rescued what was then a once proud program stuck scouring the depths of the Pac-10, and resurrected it into its former position as one of the nation's perennial college football powerhouses.

Carroll tweeted his goodbyes to Trojan nation: "thanks to everyone for your love and support over the years... its been a blast... appreciate everything". Isn't social networking great?

HOLD THE PHONES! As I write this article, it has been reported that Lane Kiffin is headed to USC to be their next head coach. Yes, you read that right: Lane Kiffin is one and done at Tennessee. Wow, a whole new drama to deal with and another FBS head coaching vacancy.

Kiffin's father Monte Kiffin is expected to follow his son to Southern Cal, as is assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron. Kiffin was a part of the USC coaching staff from 2001 to 2006, including offensive coordinator duties beginning in 2005 and 2006.

Now a whole new set of questions: Did Kiffin use Tennessee? Did he abandon the Volunteers? Will Kiffin succeed in keeping together the Trojans recruiting class? Will he need Randal Telfer's help? How many Pac-10 coaches will he tick off, and how long will it take him? Stay tuned. - Danny Hobrock

Danny is a sports journalist primarily covering college football and professional baseball. His work for Xtra Point Football has garnered national attention and is critically acclaimed. Danny is the former editor of a political and current events website and the editor of our college football content.

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