Going back to his time at USC Carroll has gotten better results out of his quarterbacks than any other defensive head coach in college or the NFL, not counting Bill Belichick, who struck gold by landing Tom Brady in the sixth round of the draft out of Michigan.

Carroll left the role at the beginning of this year after 14 seasons with the team but stayed on as an advisor. Almost a year later, he appears interested in returning to the sideline — and the openings are there,