CARROLL: A PLAYERS' COACH COMMUNICATION, INVOLVEMENT MARK NEW USC HEAD MAN.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

When a high school recruit asks Kareem Kelly about USC these days, the wide receiver no longer winces before delivering his answer.

``Now, I can be honest with players,'' Kelly said. ``I can tell them how it is. In past years, when I recruited, I kind of put some extra (compliments) on things.''

It's only one example of the different management style of USC coach Pete Carroll, who clearly is viewed by the Trojans as a players' coach, something that has marked his coaching career.

``Coach Carroll's more involved with the players,'' Kelly said. ``He makes it a point to be with us.

``If anything was on my mind, I would feel comfortable walking into his office. I feel I don't have anything to hide.''

That's a departure from the Paul Hackett era, when players felt discouraged from seeking a personal meeting with the former head coach. Former USC linebacker Zeke Moreno even suggested Hackett loosen up before last season.

``We don't have to make an appointment now, like with Hackett,'' Kelly said.

During USC's training camp, when a player asked to meet with Carroll after practice, the new coach replied, ``Just come up to my office.''

If there's one difference Carroll brings on a daily basis, it's his personable manner with players.

``It's more of a family atmosphere,'' tight end Kori Dickerson said. ``That's the biggest difference.

Although his style has been embraced by the USC players, Carroll resents characterizations that he has been easy on players.

That was a major criticism when he coached the New England Patriots. The most famous incident involved a player who said he could not complete a long-distance run. According to the Boston Globe, Carroll asked the player to meet him early the next morning and threw water on him to make it appear as if the player had run.

Naturally, the player told his teammates what happened, and it became a team joke.

But Carroll said his attempts to establish relationships do not mean he is a pushover. His practices at USC have been demanding and intense, although he has tried to avoid burning out the team.

``I spend time talking to guys but it can be misconstrued as being nice to players,'' Carroll said. ``I don't care what people think about it. It's real important I communicate. I need to know who I'm dealing with.''

So far, Carroll's reviews have been positive. After dropping three passes in the opening scrimmage, Dickerson asked Carroll to stay after practice and throw passes to him.

Carroll enthusiastically obliged, throwing passes for 15 minutes and working up a healthy sweat.

``He knows I'm available to do that,'' Carroll said. ``It's another way I can help. I have a style that lets me help guys.''

Dickerson said he doubted he would have asked Hackett for extra help if the same circumstances existed last season.

``I probably would have asked a position coach,'' Dickerson said. ``From his demeanor, I could tell he was busy after practice. No disrespect to coach Hackett.

``They are two different philosophies. Coach Carroll is more a players'-style coach and teaches by showing. Hackett was more philosophical. Carroll understands he can take a role and be out here.''

Kelly experienced a slight shock when Carroll showed up for a receivers' meeting, partly because Carroll is USC's defensive coordinator.

``Even though he coaches defense. He sat in our receivers meeting,'' Kelly said. ``Hackett never sat in on the meetings or anything.''

Carroll said he went into the meeting to work, not simply to schmooze with the players.

``I was teaching bump-and-run style. I don't go in to sit around. That's an example of being available,'' Carroll said. ``To me, it's about teaching and learning. I take it personally as a competition to figure out a guy.''

Although some questioned his style with New England, Carroll said the endorsement of players is more important.

``That's why it's not hard to stay the course,'' he said.

Kelly is certainly a believer. His relationship with Hackett was rocky at times last season, and he believes it impacted his performance.

``I wouldn't say it was a strain. It was more that our communication wasn't on the point,'' Kelly said. ``That was one of the problems with the team, and it led to a subpar season. I feel much better about this season.''

CARROLL FILE

Position: Head coach

Age: 49

Hometown: Larkspur 

Career: Coach of New York Jets (1994); Coach of New England

Patriots (1997-99); San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator (1995-96).

Personal: Two-time all-conference safety at Pacific (1971-72). ... Son Brennan is a tight end at University of Pittsburgh.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

Pete Carroll had a reputation as a players' coach with the New England Patriots, and remains approachable as USC's first-year head coach.

Kirby Lee/Special to the Daily News

Box: CARROLL FILE (see text)