Two degrees of Pete Carroll

It didn't take long for Pete Carroll's youthful coaching proteges to make a serious impact stepping into new head-coaching roles.

Collectively, Steve Sarkisian and Lane Kiffin have been at their respective head-coaching gigs for about 90 days, but the two thirtysomethings have already wracked up two secondary recruiting violations apiece, not to mention questions about their character and maturity.

For his part, Kiffin has already received a formal reprimand from Tennessee -- less than three months after taking the Vols job. So did his defensive coordinator, Ed Orgeron, who also served under Carroll at USC from 2001-2005.

Both Kiffin and Sarkisian have shown questionable knowledge -- or at least, consideration -- for NCAA recruiting guidelines. Stepping late into the recruiting process after sticking with USC through its Jan. 1 Rose Bowl showdown with Penn State, new U. of Wasthington coach Sarkisian looked silly dining with an L.A. Times reporter and a high-school junior -- both NCAA no-no's -- while trying to poach a SoCal blue-chipper.

Of course, life in the SEC is more intense for Kiffin, who has suddenly been casts into the role of over-his-head spoiled brat for trying to out Florida's Urban Meyer for alleged recruiting violations... that weren't actually violations... which is a violation.

Coupled with his odd falling out with Raiders owner Al Davis (is there any other kind?), Kiffin now has a rather nasty public perception problem on his hands, and spring practice hasn't even started yet.

But off scott-free so far is Carroll, who has run perhaps the most aggressive recruiting operation in the country over the last eight years, employing all three of the aformentioned guys in key recruiting roles.

Yet, save for the as-yet unfulfilled spector of the Reggie Bush drama, Carroll's record has remained largely clean.