Voice of the 'Fan

On Monday, Pete Carroll resigned as coach of the University of Southern California (USC) to return to the NFL as coach of the Seattle Seahawks, hoping to restore some credibility to that franchise after Seattle went 5-11 in 2009.

The ink was barely dry on Carroll's contract when USC chose his replacement. Lane Kiffin, a former Carroll assistant, bolted Tennessee to return to Cali, this after doing what most of these modern day vagabond coaches do, make promises to his recruits that he knew he might not be able to keep. Kiffin spent a year and a half working for the Vince McMahon of the NFL, Al Davis, in Oakland, and all he proved was that he wasn't quite as ready to be a head coach as he thought he was.

Kiffin got himself in major trouble early at Tennessee, and I'd not be surprised if the NCAA took as long a look at Kiffin's body of work there while investigating the assorted scandals at USC. Meanwhile, Tennessee named newly hired assistant Kippy Brown as interim coach. Kiffin had just brought Brown onto his staff a month ago. Tennessee has also reached out to former coach Phil Fulmer to return, but this time as athletic director. Fulmer retired following the 2008 season, not knowing what kind of circus would follow.

All of this makes the Texas Tech coaching situation tame by comparison. After dismissing Mike Leach, TT brought in former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville to be the new coach. This news ends up getting swept under the headline rug in the wake of Carroll & Kiffin's relocations.

Carroll, though, could be considered a rat leaving a sinking ship, given the investigation into the usual wrong-doing involving boosters and star players (in this case, Reggie Bush & Joe McKnight). What if USC is forced to go on probation in not one, but two sports (also facing an inquiry into the basketball program)? After all the success Carroll had in 9 seasons at USC (2001-09), it could all come a'cropper.

And, then, again, there is Kiffin. As I noted earlier, he ran into trouble in the SEC before the '09 season began, and that could put a crimp into Tennessee's immediate future. He's really walking from one hornet's nest into another. Not good as far as career moves go.

Will this ever end? Unfortunately, no, as long as this generation of vagabonds continue to chase the money and put ego above morals and common sense.