Everybody’s Homecoming: The Rams, Fans, Even Pete Carroll!

No Comments September 20, 2016 Rams By John Stellman

It’s Homecoming Sunday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

An event of some significance.

36 Years

The Rams haven’t played in the historic structure since 1979.

They will be entertaining the perennial Super Bowl contending Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle coach Pete Carroll will feel right at home at Exposition and Figueroa.

His stint with the University of Southern California football program is legendary.

Fond Memories

And his return to the Coliseum is sure to rekindle that glorious reign at USC.

Carroll won two National Championships (2003, 2004), four Rose Bowls (2003, 2006, 2007, 2008), two Orange Bowls (2002, 2004) and an Emerald Bowl (2009).

Under Carroll the Trojans set a national record 33 consecutive weeks as the Associated Press’s No. 1-ranked team.

Fifty three Trojans were selected in the National Football League Draft, including 14 in the first round.

A Trio Of Trophies

Three Heisman Trophy winners: Carson Palmer (2002), Matt Leinart (2004), and Reggie Bush (2005 since vacated) played for Carroll.

In July 2007, ESPN.com named USC its top team of the decade (1996-2006).

ESPN’s criteria included the the Trojans dominance under Carroll.

Impressive Numbers

Hyped up and still exuding the rah-rah college spirit, Carroll compiled a 83-19 record during his nine year run with the Trojans.

Also taken under consideration was Carroll’s impact on college football, which ESPN The Magazine recognized as a key component in the growth of the game over the decade.

In May of 2008 the Trojan coach was selected as the individual who was most influential in defining the beginning of the Bowl Championship Series Era.

It was 2009 when Carroll sprinted out of the Coliseum tunnel for the last time as a college coach.

L.A. Native

Ram coach Jeff Fisher is also returning to his roots. The 58-year old southern California native grew up in the San Fernando Valley.

And despite rumors to the contrary, Fisher apparently won’t be leaving Los Angeles anytime soon.

According to ESPN.com’s John Clayton a three-year contract extension for Fisher is imminent.

One game into his fifth season at the helm of the Rams, Fisher brings a 27-37-1 record into the home opener.

Hoisted Trophy

In 21 seasons plus his 2016 debut, a 28-0 shutout in San Francisco, the former USC standout has a career record of 169-156-1.

He was a member of the Trojans 1978 National Championship team.

Fisher almost joined Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer as the only coaches to win a National Championship and a Super Bowl.

Ironically it was the Rams who denied Fisher’s Tennessee Titans the opportunity of hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

St. Louis Super

St. Louis captured Super Bowl XXXIV 23-16, when Tennessee receiver Kevin Dyson was tackled one yard short of the end zone as time expired.

Meanwhile when Carroll’s Seahawks routed Denver 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII he joined that aforementioned elite fraternity.

Ironically, his success against the mediocre Rams has been under whelming.

Carroll lost twice to the Rams last season, 34-31 and 23-17. In fact, his Seahawks lost three of their final four encounters against St. Louis.

So maybe the change of scenery to a venue where Carroll was extremely popular and very successful (45-9) is just what the doctor ordered.

Appreciative Reception

Seahawks corner back Richard Sherman, who grew up in L.A., suspects Angelenos will welcome Carroll warmly.

“I think L.A. is going to welcome him with open arms, because for so long the only NFL team they had was the USC Trojans,” said Sherman, a Stanford alumni.

“Pete Carroll was their NFL coach for like 10 years or so, and they had an incredible run.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever feel the same about any place as I do about L.A.,” Carroll said.

“That’s where we started, that’s where we dug in. That was the birthing place of our efforts to work in the community, which I’m really grateful for. It’s really important for me.”

Hall Of Famer

Seventy-two year old former Ram great Tom Mack cherishes his memories of the Coliseum.

“That stadium per se hasn’t changed in 40 or 50 years. L.A. fans are going to respond to seeing the Rams back in the Coliseum, very much so.

People over the years have all longingly said, ‘Boy, I wish the Rams would come back.’ If the Rams can put a good product on the field, and they’ve got a very young team, the people will love it.

Inglewood Awaits

They’re going to move to that spectacular new stadium, but first we’re going to look forward to seeing the Rams in the Coliseum.”

Added Fisher, “I remember walking through the tunnel and just being overwhelmed by the vastness of the stadium. I was this small person in this big, big arena, and it’s one of those experiences you remember for a lifetime.

For me growing up, that was my team. And now to have an opportunity to reach back and connect with those Rams teams, and include them in what is our future, especially the next three years at the Coliseum, it’s really special to me.”

“Having a chance to go down to L.A. and play down there is really fun. I’m really looking forward to it,” Carroll concluded.

And why shouldn’t he? After all, isn’t this what Homecoming is all about!

image: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

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John Stellman

I was born with sports in my blood. I began coaching little league baseball at 15. I was the sports editor of my high school newspaper. I did football play by play for the college radio station. I broadcast high school basketball for a local commercial station. But baseball was always my passion. During the 1970's I covered the Angels for the Orange County Register. And now I am back where I belong...