Image from ESPN article, Trojan Force.
“Trojan Force” is more than just the catchy title of ESPN writer Eric Nee’ls article on USC coach Pete Carroll. Trojan Force in an homage to the man that has lifted the USC football team from college football mediocrity (under Hackett) to the height of college football’s elite. Neel spent some good time with Pete, observing his hands-on (literally) approach to teaching the game. He’s on the field, running plays with first team. He’s in the backfield catching 40 yard punts from Woidneck, one-handed no less. He’s watching film, scratching Xs and Os onto his dry-erase board, conceiving the strategy that’s going to play best for his talented defensive arsenal. And as Carroll admits, he doesn’t win games for the trophies, he wins games to win games.
“I love trophies, but f— ’em. They’re for old men, for guys living in memory,” he says. “I’m talking about: Are we competing today, every minute, in everything we do in practice. Are we letting loose and daring to be great here and now? And can we sustain that? And repeat it. Trophies are great, but we’re trying to win forever.”
Pete Carroll is the Trojans mind, he is the spirit, he is the heart. He is the constant force that makes this Trojan team great. And when the smoke clears after the Trojans have won their battle, while the rest of the team is still celebrating their victory, Pete Carroll will have his eyes turned forward, preparing for whatever battle may lay ahead.
TrojanWire 
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