One day after receiving an honorary degree from the university, former head coach Pete Carroll spoke to the media at the John McKay Center ahead of his induction into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame.
Growing up in California, Carroll said he always had "the reverence for USC as a kid." Translating that admiration into a successful coaching career at the university was "very special" to him. Carroll said what he missed most about campus is "the connection with all the fun," citing the action-packed atmosphere of the student body and 21 Trojan athletic teams.
Carroll expressed deep faith in the university in regards to dealing with the NCAA sanctions levied during his tenure. "It breaks my heart that that's what happened to the university and the kids that were playing here because it wasn't dealt with properly," he said about the penalties. "I hope the university gets what they rightfully deserve."
He also talked about the importance of relationship-building in his current work as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, emphasizing that he really cultivated the skill while coaching the Trojan football team. He also remembered the doubters when he arrived at USC after his first stint in the NFL.
"I was told when I got here that that couldn't happen," Carroll said to reporters about his streak of bowl appearances and overall success while coaching the Trojans. "I took [that] as a personal challenge."
Carroll expressed optimism for the football team's future under Steve Sarkisian, pointing to his former assistant's talented recruiting class and 9-4 start at USC. "He knows what's going on. He knows how to run this program."
When asked who he was most excited to be among as an incoming member of the USC Hall of Fame, Carroll named former quarterback Jimmy Jones. Carroll recalled watching Jones throw a touchdown pass to former receiver Sam Dickerson to beat UCLA at the only USC game he ever attended as a kid. "I always thought that was one of the great moments in 'SC-UCLA history," he said.
Carroll concluded by expressing great appreciation for USC fans. "The Trojan Family is extraordinary. It's deep and rich and it works its way through the generations," he said. "The support that they bring really made the 'Fight On' spirit a real thing."
Coach Carroll was followed by Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio, also a 2015 Hall of Fame inductee. Del Rio, who played both football and baseball while at USC, called his nomination to the Hall of Fame humbling. "It's a storied program, it's a special place, it's near and dear to me."
Click here to watch Del Rio's entire press conference.
Del Rio named playing under legendary baseball coach Rod Dedeaux as one of the many memorable experiences he had as an athlete at USC. His most memorable moment, though? "Walking off of the field as a Rose Bowl champion" to close out his senior year.
Here is Carroll's press conference in its entirety:
