For Carroll, Day Is a Family Affair

Barely half an hour had passed since USC’s 66-19 whipping of UCLA at the Coliseum on Saturday evening when Pete Carroll turned his attention to a more pressing concern.

Stopping Texas quarterback Vince Young in the Rose Bowl?

More like seeing Nate Carroll at West Torrance High.

“The Peninsula Panthers are playing in about an hour, so if you have any questions, ask them fast,” Carroll, the USC coach, told the media throng assembled in the Coliseum.

After fulfilling his media obligations and changing into jeans, a leather jacket and sneakers, Carroll zipped the approximately 16 miles from the Coliseum to the site of his son Nate’s Southern Section Division III semifinal playoff game against Compton Dominguez.

“It was easy,” said Carroll, who found time to stop at a 7-Eleven for a hot dog. “I just shot down the 110.”

Carroll arrived in time to see the Dons botch the opening kickoff for a safety, but it was one of few highlights for Peninsula during a 24-15 loss.

Nate Carroll, a senior quarterback, had led the Panthers to playoff victories over West Hills Chaminade and Highland in previous weeks after regular starter Eric Haynes pulled a hamstring. Haynes was back at quarterback Saturday, with Carroll playing receiver and defensive back.

“It’s been great fun,” Pete Carroll said of his son’s play during the playoffs. “He had an opportunity to step into a role and he held his own.”

The elder Carroll was besieged by well-wishers who shook his hand and offered congratulations as he paced the sideline. A Panther cheerleader, upon noticing his presence, called out, “Hey, Coach Carroll!”

“I’m just out here having fun,” Carroll said at halftime. “A dad watching a football game.”

Karen Darling, associate principal at Peninsula, said Carroll was a regular spectator at Panther football, boys’ basketball and boys’ volleyball games in which Nate participated. “He’s a great supporter of the school,” Darling said.

Carroll called watching his son “a totally different experience” from those that involve watching the Trojans. “Watching him play quarterback is a little nerve-racking,” Carroll said of his son, who is undecided on his college plans.

Shortly after the opening kickoff, Carroll was joined by son Brennan, the Trojans’ tight end coach who is eight years older than Nate. Brennan said he had had time to go home and grab a glass of water before coming to the game since he didn’t have to remain at the Coliseum to address the media.

A day that had started with position meetings at 8:45 a.m. wasn’t over for the Carrolls when the high school game ended. There was still a recruiting dinner to attend in San Pedro.

“This was not a hard day,” Pete Carroll said before the game ended. “This was a great day.”