Pete Carroll dismisses reports he might go back to USC: 'That's not happening'

LOS ANGELES -- As the University of Southern California Trojans look for a new head football coach, one name keeps popping up again and again, multiple news agencies are reporting.

A name very familiar to Hawks fans, in fact.

According to SB Nation and Yahoo Finance,  some people "behind the scenes" at USC put Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll on a short list of coaching candidates to fill the vacancy left by Steve Sarkisian.



Even while Carroll is still under contract with the Seahawks, some unnamed sources believe he is "in play," Yahoo Finance reports.

Dan Patrick of the "Dan Patrick Show" said Carroll was likely to listen to offers.

"The people who help make decisions there, they think Pete Carroll is in play," Yahoo Finance reports Patrick saying. "This is what I was told, before the loss, if it goes south in Seattle, they think there is a chance that Pete would listen to go back to USC."

Carroll coached nine seasons at USC, leading the Trojans to two national championships before heading to Seattle to coach the Seahawks.

Carroll was asked about the reports Monday.

"I love USC. It's a great place. Flattered. I appreciate it, Dan (Patrick). But that's not happening," Carroll said. "We're in good shape here."