Why Pete Carroll is Successful at Coaching College Football

As USC's head football coach, Carroll has the highest winning percentage among active coaches with more than 5 years experience in all of college football (85.4%). Carroll has two National Championships (2003 & 2004), and has finished seven consecutive seasons ranked in the AP and Coaches poll top 4 teams in the country. In only eight seasons as a college football head coach, Carroll has become one of the most successful and most decorated college coaches in the last several decades.

Here are several reasons why Pete Carroll is one of the most successful coaches in college football:

Attitude
Carroll comes off as a laid back guy who is media friendly and not easily agitated. We all saw his emotions when he thought Mark Sanchez was making a mistake by leaving USC, but it's because he was looking after Sanchez, not mad that he was losing his starting quarterback. Carroll is known for playing practical joke's on his team and always promotes a positive atmosphere.

NFL Experience
Although his experience in the NFL was not what he had hoped, Carroll benefited from his time in the NFL and gained experience that has translated into college coaching success.

Players Want to Play for Carroll
Players love coming to USC for several reasons. Carroll is not known for yelling at players or for spending a lot of time on discipline. Carroll has coached three Heisman Trohpy winners, and has had over 50 former players selected in the NFL Draft. Incoming players know that they will have a chance at winning a National Championship, and have a chance at making the NFL.

Play Calling
The game is tied and the Trojans have the ball at the opponents 40 yard line on 4th down and 3 yards to go. Is there any doubt in your mind that Carroll would not go for it? Carroll has an aggressive coaching style when it comes to play calling. Every 4th down is a possibility for success in Carroll's mind. Carroll isn't called "Big Balls Pete" for nothing. Carroll's play calling has benefited USC greatly, just ask the 2005 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. For some coaches, risky play calling has cost them their jobs, but it has made Carroll a success.

Recruiting
Carroll is an expert in recruiting the best players in the nation. USC draws players in regardless of who the head coach is, but Carroll capitalizes well when it comes to talking to high school talent.