Well.... until the sanctions were about to come down on USC, Pete always claimed no interest in the NFL and that he was very happy at USC.
And right when the sanctions were about to come.... welll we all know he ran with his tail between his legs as fast has he could.
Pete always said he didn't think he'd ever get what he wanted in the NFL and thus doubted he'd leave USC, especially since he loved being there so much.
Paul Allen was the first guy who actually offered Pete everything he said he'd want if he were to ever leave. He has final say over player personnel, he had a say in picking the GM, he has been able to completely employ his philosophy and approach in all facets throughout the franchise, he got support for his foundation (A Better LA and now also A Better Seattle). Rumor has it he and John Schneider were also promised at least four years to turn things around regardless of the win/loss tally.
He also got a pay raise.[/quote]
Don't confuse them with facts, my brotha. I don't think Pete was afraid to stay there and take on the sanctions. It isn't like it was a death knell for the program.
It's like saying that Harbaugh knew he could never compete for a title at Stanford so he bolted for the NFL. He actually abandoned Andrew Luck in arguably his most important season. However, I wouldn't say that because we all know getting a great opportunity in the NFL is something that most wouldn't pass up on.
Of course if Pete had taken the Cowboys, the Bears, the Giants, or some other team that everyone think is a dream job, they would just say he got an excellent opportunity.
I always wanted to beat Pete when he was with the Trojans (Husky fan here), but I never thought he wasn't a good guy or a good coach. I actually was against him coming to Seattle because I didn't trust his personnel decisions. I was wrong, wrong, wrong...