The Pete Carroll story involves several wonderful years at USC, but Carroll’s first intersection with the Trojans came decades before he coached the Men of Troy.

As an Ohio State assistant coach under then-head coach Earle Bruce, Carroll finally got to see the 1979 USC team, specifically its offensive line, up close and personal before the 1980 Rose Bowl against the Trojans.

“My first memories getting ready for the Rose Bowl were we were really pumped up,” Carroll said years ago. “We had a really good team that year. We had a chance to win the national championship. But as a California kid coming back to the Rose Bowl for the first time, it was really big. As we got out there, it was magical being in Southern California.”

“They were loaded with players,” Carroll said. “I’ll never forget coming off the field and seeing those offensive linemen come charging out together. I thought, ‘Oh, my gosh.’ They just looked so right. They were big and strong. They had a fantastic team. It was a great matchup, a great game.”

What did Carroll have to say about Charles White, the 1979 Heisman winner who rushed for 247 yards against Ohio State in his final USC game?

“He kicked our butt,” Carroll said of that late game-winning drive.

More 1977 Rose Bowl!

Story originally appeared on Trojans Wire