Pretty Boy Floyd says "no mas." What lies ahead for Pete Carroll?

I'm going to skip the LOTD story today, as there are only two major stories, both deserving of their own post.

Our crack research team at TDS has told me that Tim Floyd, possibly the most unhirable coach in the game right now, has resigned from USC. He said USC would be his last job, and he is right. It all stems from allegations that Floyd paid for OJ Mayo to go to USC, funneling money through sports representative Rodney Guillory. How Floyd got away with this will baffle me for ages. 1) Guillory was a known entity on USC's campus; he worked with Jeff Trepagnier, 2) Floyd said that OJ magically showed up at the doorstep... and everyone believed him, 3) Tim Floyd is not a smart guy, and it should surprise no one that he would actually hand money directly to a player or recruit. Think of the character Tom Grunick from the film Broadcast News, extremelly charismatic, wants people to think he's smart, isn't actually.

Here's what we know. USC met with the NCAA this past weekend, and by USC I mean AD Mike Garrett, football coach Pete Carroll, and (former) basketball coach Tim Floyd amongst others. It was the first major meeting between the NCAA and the USC athletic brain trust. Three days later Tim Floyd resigns.

There's no doubt that the NCAA had solid evidence against Floyd and USC basketball, otherwise Floyd would have done what USC has all along; try to ride it out. This brings up two questions: 1) Is Floyd the sacrifice to try to save the sacred cow that is the football program 2) Does the NCAA have an excuse to go easy on the football team with the two investigations being folded into one.

Here's something else to think about: The allegations against Floyd were over $1,000. Reggie Bush's parents got a house. And that's only one of the major allegations against the USC program. There's no doubt that USC football will be penalized, it's only a matter of when and how bad. It wouldn't surprise me to see the 2005 season wiped from the record books, and it's likely the 2004 season could take a hit as well, which would be a real blow considering the Trojans won the National Championship that year.

I floated out the idea that there's a chance Pete Carroll may either resign or be fired if these allegations are proven to be true. I'll admit that it's simply speculation, based on my thoughts on the program, the penalties that could be levied, and any value on USC's part to save face. I would imagine it's just as likely that Carroll leaves after this season. The NCAA wants to have the penalties announced at least two weeks before the season begins, giving SC the two-week rebuttal period that is allowed. There's a chance Carroll will stick it out this season - especially if there is no post-season ban put in place - make a run at the National Championship, and then jump ship after the season.

So now we have to wait and see what happens with the Trojan football program. There is another NCAA meeting scheduled in a couple of weeks, so more news should come following that. There's a little more than three months until the season begins, and a decision will be put out by then. Start the ticking time bomb now.