Falcons owner Arthur Blank has come up with a bright idea: “How ’bout I turn my entire franchise over to a college football coach?”

Never mind that the do-it-yourself billionaire just had his lunch money stolen by Bobby Quitrino. He’s once again become enamored with the college ranks, where the eternally young Pete Carroll resides.

In case you haven’t heard, ESPN’s Joe Schad reported Wednesday night that Carroll spoke to Blank by phone from Hawaii. Len Pasquarelli had already reported the Falcons interest in Carroll on Tuesday.

After winning 76 games and two national championships in seven seasons at USC, Carroll’s apparently flirting with the idea of giving the NFL another spin.

In 1994, he was fired after one season with the Jets. From 1997-99, he went 28-23 as a head coach with the Patriots and led them to playoff appearances in two of three seasons.

So what would make him want to take over a Falcons franchise that’s in shambles? Well, for starters, he likes the idea of having complete control of the football operation. And a salary of $6 or $7 million per year might not hurt.

There’s also the belief that USC might face NCAA sanctions related to former running back Reggie Bush’s involvement with marketing agents. I don’t think that’s causing Carroll to consider the Falcons job, though.

He desires the opportunity to prove he can succeed at the highest level, and having full control of the football operation means he could do it on his own terms.

Blank already has a major credibility problem, and hiring Carroll isn’t going to make that go away. In the wake of the Petrino fiasco, you thought he would find someone who could help restore a sense of dignity to the franchise. Hiring Carroll seems all about making a big splash.

But rest assured that Arthur is about to get his heart broken again. This man has always worn his heart on the sleeve of his satin bath robe.

Carroll will eventually come to his senses – perhaps by the end of the week – and realize that he’s in the right place.