Not that Carroll, who co-taught a class entitled “The Game is Life” this spring at USC’s Marshall School of Business, needed an orientation course on the ways and means of Silver and Blackdom.
Because while Carroll grew up in the Bay Area’s Marin County a fan of the 49ers, he respected the Raiders, who then called Oakland home.
“Al Davis’ effect on the game of football, and his approach, it was just across the Richmond Bridge,” he said. “The Raiders, it was like home base. It’s been more thrilling to be a part of it than it has been a transition, or [trying to] figure it out.
“Al had principles about the way he built a program. He had his concepts and he had his approach. … I do, too, and there’s a lot of crossover. Even the style of players we like to play with is very similar.”
Carroll laughed, and this is where we mention that Davis was a USC assistant from 1957-59, yes?
Paging the height, weight and speed guys, then.
Guys like the statuesque Palmer, who jumpstarted his college career to win the Heisman Trophy in Year 2 under Carroll and rode it to becoming the NFL’s No. 1 draft pick in 2003. And the speedy Butler, who authored a 4.37-second 40-time.
Palmer, acquired by the Raiders in what then-coach Hue Jackson called the “greatest trade in football” in 2011, spent two seasons with the Raiders and was transfixed by what he experienced.
“It’s unlike any other place I’ve ever been,” he said. “That fanbase is world wide.”
And hungry. For, as Fargas said, success.
Palmer believes Carroll can do with the Raiders what he did in Seattle – get them to a Super Bowl.
“It was a no-brainer on the Raiders’ end to get that quality and experience,” said Palmer, who plans to utilize some of the skills he gleaned from Carroll as a first-time head coach at his old high school, Santa Margarita Catholic High School in southern California’s Orange County.
“He’s been there, done that. Had success on every level. He’s the perfect guy for the job. I’m happy for Raider Nation; I’m ecstatic for him.”
Butler caught passes as a receiver for just one season under Carroll at USC, two for Lane Kiffin, before transferring to San Diego State. The Raiders drafted him in the seventh round in 2013.
The Pete Carroll he played for in 2009 is the Pete Carroll the Raiders are getting in 2025, Butler said.
“He always brings high energy,” Butler said. “He’s not short of energy, or charisma.”
But while Carroll is known sport-wide for his infectious personality, Palmer, Fargas, Rucker and Butler all said he does not get enough credit for his X’s and O’s…while mixing in those omnipresent feel-good atta-boys.
Or did you miss Carroll “pinning” Thayer Munford during a recent stretch period?