Coach Pete Carroll said earlier this week he would not interview for jobs outside of USC this year.
But it turns out there might be some wiggle room in that decision.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Sunday that Carroll's representatives are sending out feelers for NFL jobs that would give the Trojans' coach control of football operations and $6 million a year.
Carroll told ESPN Radio 710 in Los Angeles on Friday that he will not interview for any jobs outside of USC, with whom he has a chance to win a third consecutive national championship, this year.
Mortensen reported Sunday that the NFL explorations by Carroll's agents might be simply an effort to get Carroll a new contract, one similar to that of Notre Dame's Charlie Weis.
Weis signed a 10-year contract extension believed to be worth approximately $3.5 million per year with the Irish earlier this season, making him the highest paid coach in college football.
In an interview on "The Big Show with Mason and Ireland" Friday, Carroll said:
"I'm going to have the chance to recruit eight or nine first-round draft picks. In the NFL you can get one a year. So we're really excited about the place we are, I'm happy to be here."
ESPN Radio: "Does that mean you're going to pass on the chance to interview for any jobs outside of SC this year?"
Pete Carroll: "I won't interview for any jobs."
ESPN Radio: "Wow."
Pete Carroll: "I won't interview for any of them."
The Trojans are 12-0 this season and haven't lost a game since Sept. 27, 2003. Since Oct. 6, 2002, USC is 45-1. In those 45 victories, only five were decided by less than a touchdown.
As a college head coach, Carroll is 54-9 (all at USC).
Carroll was the head coach of the New England Patriots for three seasons (1997-99) and New York Jets for one year (1994).
He guided the Patriots into the playoffs in his first two seasons. Carroll's record as an NFL coach was 33-31.