A Winning Philosophy

As the USC football team scratches another challenger off the list of teams standing in the way of an unprecedented third straight national title, it's worth taking a moment to look at the winning philosphy of head coach Pete Carroll that has been integral to the Trojans' current win streak.

Last spring, Carroll spoke to students in USC president Steven Sample’s leadership class about that philosophy. He described himself as a competitor, both on and off the field, and stressed the importance and responsibility of being a motivator for the team.

“You have to hone a formula that works," he said, adding with a smirk, "Looks like we did." Once you find a method that works, said Carroll, "then you just keep using it over and over.”

Even in a lecture hall, Carroll's energy and charisma were infectious, proving that his unique ability to inspire works on more than just football players.