Pete Carroll leaves USC for Seahawks

Pete Carroll pumped his fist. He talked excitedly and forcefully. He chopped the air with his hands, commanding his new audience.

Even though he had stepped back up into the NFL, he was still in charge — which is exactly why he's in Seattle now instead of Southern California.

The charismatic Carroll took over as the new coach and executive vice president of the Seahawks on Tuesday, enthusiastically seizing an authority that he says mirrors the latitude USC gave him to restore its dynasty.

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Lane Kiffin is returning to Southern California as the Trojans' coach after just one season at Tennessee.

Kiffin was chosen Tuesday to replace Pete Carroll, his mentor and employer for six seasons. Kiffin was the Trojans' offensive co-ordinator before his brief stints with the Oakland Raiders and the Volunteers.

"This was not an easy decision," he said Tuesday night, reading a brief statement on Tennessee's campus. "This is something that happens very quick. We've been here 14 months, and the support has been unbelievable here. I really believe the only place I would have left here to go was ... Southern California."