If it wasn't official, it sure sounded like it Sunday as several news outlets reported that USC football Coach Pete Carroll was leaving town to take over the top coaching job for the NFL's Seattle Seahawks.

It wasn't the reported $32.5 million that likely sent Carroll, one of the most successful coaches in the NCAA, to leave University Park, however: USC was under intense scrutiny for its recruiting practices, and Carroll could have decided his life would be easier in the NFL than at USC answering questions.

He leaves the school with a 97-19 record, seven Pac-10 conference titles, two national championships, an unprecedented three-straight Rose Bowl wins, and a string of Heisman winners including Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush.

In late 2008 Carroll was the subject of a glowing profile on CBS show 60 Minutes, which portrayed him as a man with deep concern for the minority communities that surround the USC campus.

Oregon State coach Mike Riley was rumored to be USC's top choice to replace Carroll, but late Sunday it was reported that he signed a contract extension with Oregon State.

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