Let Me Teach You a Thing or Two!

I am a retired Los Angeles USD teacher who taught for 37 years. I believe that Pete Carroll is an excellent teacher!

Evidently (UC)LA Times Editor Bill Dwyre disagrees. In his Saturday, July 31, 2010, article entitled "Carroll could have taught a lesson while learning one", Mr. Dwyre insinuated that Coach Carroll was not a teacher. Mr. Dwyre wrote, "John Wooden always said that people in his position were, first and foremost, teachers. Had Pete Carroll stayed around, faced the music and coached his gut out for a 4-7 record, he would have become one."

Not a teacher? Let me teach you a thing or two, Bill Dwyre. Excellent teachers have control, are great motivators and teach respect. I was fortunate enough to hear Pete Carroll speak six years ago at a seminar in Heritage Hall about his "A Better L.A. Foundation". Coach told the audience that the first thing he taught his players was to respect everyone the same way. RESPECT! Secondly, a student must be motivated to learn. Coach Carroll is a master at motivation! After observing him on the practice field, playing field, in Heritage Hall and at Monday Morning Quarterback, I have seen him in action. Every word out of his mouth is positive! MOTIVATION! Lastly, control. I remember the first Carroll coached game in the Rose Bowl. The losing Bruins, near the end of the game rushed to the USC sideline, ready to fight. I saw Coach Carroll point at every USC football player from one end of the line to the other. No USC player moved. There was no fight. That's CONTROL!

I have told Coach Pete Carroll in writing and in person that he is the best teacher I have ever seen!

The question is, will Bill Dwyre ever learn?