[Angelinaaiiiiiiiii]

MIAMI -- Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga's travel itinerary suggests he's trying to lure Southern California coach Pete Carroll back to the NFL.
Carroll has been on vacation in Costa Rica, and a Huizenga-owned plane flew there Sunday, then returned to Fort Lauderdale, according to flight records. The same plane was used to take Dolphins officials to Pittsburgh, Chicago, San Diego, Jacksonville and Minneapolis to interview candidates to replace Nick Saban.


The fact that Pete Carroll was willing to meet Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga during a vacation in Costa Rica shows he's as interested in this job as any that has come along for him in the NFL in years. Read more of John Clayton's Quick Hits.

A Dolphins spokesman declined to say whether Huizenga met with Carroll. USC spokesman Tim Tessalone said Carroll was expected to return from vacation Tuesday.

"Pete hasn't gotten back, so I don't have any information to share with you," Tessalone said.

In the 1990s, Carroll coached the New York Jets for one season and the New England Patriots for three before being fired. As recently as last week, he denied rumors he wanted to return to the pros.

If the 55-year-old Carroll is interested in the Dolphins job, he would become the front-runner. He led the Trojans to a fifth consecutive Bowl Championship Series appearance this season and beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl. He's 65-12 with two national titles in six seasons at Southern California.

The Dolphins interviewed two candidates Monday: their defensive coordinator, Dom Capers, and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin.

Capers was interviewed in Jacksonville, where he was on vacation. He coached expansion teams in Carolina and Houston and has a career record of 48-80.

Since Saban left last week for Alabama, Miami has interviewed at least six other candidates: former Atlanta Falcons coach Jim Mora, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey, San Diego offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, and two Chicago Bears assistants, defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Ron Turner.

Gailey, a former offensive coordinator for the Dolphins, said Monday there was nothing new to report in the coaching search.

"I'm one of the guys in the running," he said. "We'll see where it goes."
The Dolphins' experience with Saban might make them less likely to hire a college coach. He came to Miami from Louisiana State and left after two seasons, deciding he preferred the SEC to the NFL.

Carroll is one of the highest-paid coaches in college, but Huizenga last week said: "I don't care what it takes, what it costs, what's involved. We're going to make this a winning franchise."

The Dolphins have failed to make the playoffs the past five seasons, a team record.

A message left on Carroll's cell phone wasn't returned, and his agent didn't return calls seeking comment.

[kilibry]

I want to say "no chance" but wouldn't believe even myself.

[truttyMab]

Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame of me.

[Abaanto]

I hope this happens.

[pBiRXp8u]

I hope this doesnt happen..Im a Carrol fan as a college coach,but he didnt have a good career in his previous NFL Stint..He has it to good at USC to give it another try just now...maybe 5 yrs down the road or something.
But just in case he decides to take the Dolphin job,I wish him better luck than he had previously in the NFL.

[id2008]

Carrol needs to realize he has it too good at USC. If he were to leave to go to Miami it would be a mistake on the scale of Rick Pitino. That having been said I don't think Carrol will leave, but you never know.

[Flatlytaize]

Coaching at USC with no NFL team is better than actually being one of 32 in this case.

Besides, does he really want to have to make those TOUGH decisions on Harrington and Ricky Williams?

Bottom line is in USC he will compete for the national title for the next 5-10 years probably.

In the NFL he's just another coach.

[soydaykam]

Coaching at USC with no NFL team is better than actually being one of 32 in this case.

Besides, does he really want to have to make those TOUGH decisions on Harrington and Ricky Williams?

Bottom line is in USC he will compete for the national title for the next 5-10 years probably.

In the NFL he's just another coach.

Carrol would be stupid to leave. He gets plenty of money to coach the Trojans, has 10-12 top players every year in his recruiting class, constantly wins 10 games a year, and throw in a NC every now and then.

With that said, I hope he leaves.

[Verriasana]

Carroll is a semideity at USC. He's a made man. Why would he give that up for certain failure with Miami (who's looking at Martz anyway)?

[JeremyIV]

Carrol would be stupid to leave. He gets plenty of money to coach the Trojans, has 10-12 top players every year in his recruiting class, constantly wins 10 games a year, and throw in a NC every now and then.

With that said, I hope he leaves.

I like that a traditional powerhouse has restored its dynasty. It is what I love about college football.

With that said, I'd like to point out that I hate Southern Cal with a burning passion. I wish it was any other school that had this success.

I hope Carroll leaves for Miami.

[DrazAdwamoi]

I heard Carroll has already said that hes not going anywhere and the Dolphins are already looking to other candidates.

[Poowssnople]

I heard Carroll has already said that hes not going anywhere and the Dolphins are already looking to other candidates.

Must I remind you of what Nick Saban said?