The Los Angeles Times was the first to catch up with now-former USC coach Pete Carroll.
Carroll told the Times:
His new job with the Seahawks "came out of nowhere."
He said the timing had nothing to do with potential NCAA sanctions: "Not in any way. Because I know where we stand. It's just a process we have to go through. We know we've fought hard to do right."
He said there were no hard feelings between him and athletic director Mike Garrett.
Carroll also made it clear he prefers the NFL playoffs to anything the college bowl system offers: "It's not the same. ... It's a great spectacle, but the other thing is a whole different level."
He told the Times that he wasn't sure how his decision would be greeted by USC fans.
His parting words?
"I've given everything I've had," he told the newspaper. "There was never going to be a good time."