Questions the Trojans must answer if coach Pete Carroll leaves for the NFL:
1. Who's next?
Oregon State coach Mike Riley reportedly was the Trojans' first choice to replace Pete Carroll, but he signed a contract extension late Sunday to stay in his hometown of Corvallis, Ore. USC athletic director Mike Garrett likely will send out feelers to Steve Sarkisian at the University of Washington and Jeff Fisher with the Tennessee Titans. The latest name to pop up: ex-NFL coach Herm Edwards. The Trojans are under a time crunch, because national signing day for high school players is Feb. 3.
2. How many USC coaches will Carroll take with him?
He is apparently headed to Seattle with offensive line coach Pat Ruel, linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. and offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates. That may not sound like such a big deal until you consider how much turnover USC's staff already has had. Since Norm Chow left four years ago, the Trojans have had three offensive coordinators. They have also had heavy attrition elsewhere on the staff.
3. What happens to USC's recruiting class?
In the long run, the Trojans figure to be just fine. They are the most alluring destination for recruits in one of the most talent-rich areas in the country. However, a coach with a quirky system could convince some of the recruits already in the fold to go elsewhere. Uncertainty has already made some of them skittish. The easiest way to retain recruits will be for USC to find a coach with an NFL-style system similar to Carroll's.
4. Is the NCAA ready to drop the hammer?
This question will have an impact on what kind of coach Garrett can persuade to come to USC. There are mixed messages on this one. The NCAA has been investigating the Reggie Bush case for nearly four years, so what are they waiting for? They might be waiting for depositions of Bush and Carroll in a civil lawsuit that could be used as evidence in the NCAA's case. Bush reportedly testified to the NCAA before the 2009 NFL season began, so a decision could come soon.
5. How will the Trojans do in 2010?
They probably won't fall as far as many people are expecting. Sure, they lose receiver Damian Williams, defensive end Everson Griffen and tailbacks Stafon Johnson and Joe McKnight a year early, but quarterback Matt Barkley should benefit from a year of experience. Also leaving are senior standouts Taylor Mays, Charles Brown and Jeff Byers. But 9-4 isn't quite as lofty a standard as some of Carroll's other teams would have set. In a way, this is the perfect time for Carroll to leave, from his successor's standpoint. Imagine if Carroll had gone following the 2005 Orange Bowl. His successor would have followed two straight national championships.
Mark Saxon covers USC for ESPNLosAngeles.com.