FANS, IT'S NERVOUS TIME AT 'SC.

Byline: STEVE DILBECK

The heart races, and what's a little cardinal-and-gold follower to do?

They just don't make proper meds for these things. Prozac never went up against the likes of a Pete Carroll anxiety attack. It's no match for the dread that has engulfed the Trojans faithful.

It is the moment they have all feared since Carroll returned USC football to glory, and understand right now, it is very real.

The NFL is calling, and for the first time, Carroll is listening.

Be nervous, be very, very nervous.

This is not to say Carroll is out of here, that he has made up his mind should Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga make an offer that he will be heading to South Beach.

But for the first time, Carroll is intrigued once again by the lure of the NFL. Carroll said he met about four hours with Huizenga while on vacation in Costa Rica on Sunday and liked what he heard.

He returned to campus Tuesday and sidestepped numerous opportunities to end the speculation and still the panic gripping Trojan Land.

He constantly said how much he loved the Trojans, how thrilled he was to be at USC, how special the program had become.

He just never once issued the statement longed for by USC supporters: No way I would take the Dolphins job.

He left the door not just ajar, but wide open.

Carroll said he's been consistent all along on these annual NFL rumors -- he couldn't imagine a situation would present itself that had the necessary ingredients to peak his curiosity.

At least until now.

``This was the one instance I've come in contact with that has all the elements I have talked about,'' Carroll said. ``(Huizenga) has structured a program where the head coach has the entire say, from top to bottom, the hiring of all personnel.

``It's a one-voice program. I don't think there are any other like that in the NFL.''

It could be now or never for Carroll in the NFL. If he is ever to leave, this is the time. If he is ever to make a return to the NFL, this is the moment.

It is a near perfect mesh of control, ownership and location. The team stinks, but it's the NFL. Most of them do, or will next year.

Gut reaction should Huizenga decide Carroll's his man: He's gone.

Now, now, stop with the shaking.

Heritage Hall will still stand, Traveler will still look noble, the cheerleaders will still look gorgeous.

Yet the end of truly special era would be at hand, if feeling somewhat premature.

None of this is certainty, because beyond Carroll wrestling with his own pros and cons, there is the little matter of Huizenga.

Huizenga is on a world tour to hire his next coach. He's already taken his private plane to more airports this week than Delta.

He's interviewed ninecandidates and is scheduled to interview a 10th, former Rams coach Mike Martz, later this week.

It is hard to imagine Huizenga giving full team control to any of the other guys on his list -- Jim Mora, Dom Capers, a bunch of NFL coordinators without head coaching experience.

And he just went through hiring a top college coach, Nick Saban, only for him to return to the college ranks two years later.

Yet Huizenga clearly went to serious trouble to locate and track down Carroll while in Costa Rica. We might never have known about this Central America rendezvous if it were not for the unfortunate death of USC kicker Mario Danelo.

When Danelo's body was discovered at the bottom of a San Pedro cliff on Saturday, the media obviously looked to Carroll for comment.

When he could not be reached, it was learned he was on vacation in Costa Rica. The Miami media knew Huizenga had taken his private plane there Sunday.

When Carroll still had not returned to campus by Monday, when the team met for the first time since its Rose Bowl victory over Michigan, suspicions grew this was no typical vacation and the Miami reports far from speculation.

Carroll was careful Tuesday to first comment over the loss of Danelo -- ``It's so unfortunate, so regrettable. We're all stunned.'' -- and said he had not fully learned what happened until Sunday, just as Huizenga's plane arrived.

Carroll said he had not purchased a local cell phone, and the only way to get messages was to dial his voice mail.

Asked how Huizenga was able to reach him, he paused and said: ``I don't know how he found me.''

Carroll said he tried to fly back Monday but was unable to make the necessary flight changes.

For a man who constantly preaches about the Trojans as family, it made for a conspicuous absence.

``It was frustrating,'' he said. ``I tried to get back. If I could have done it, I would have done it. My conscience is clear.''

His future path is not so clear.

Asked if all things between the Dolphins' and Trojans' jobs were equal, if he would remain at USC, Carroll went all non-denial denial on us:

``I love the Trojans.''

No one questions that, but there could be a feeling he has done all he can at the collegiate level, while after two stints as an NFL head coach, challenges there still await.

``I'm always chasing challenges,'' Carroll said. ``It's inherent to who I am. I'm teased by all challenges.''

Carroll has built the finest college football program in the country. He is all but worshipped by USC followers. He has another great team coming back next year.

No one knows better what he would be giving up should he be placed in a position to take the Dolphins job. Nor how difficult it is to duplicate his USC success in the NFL.

Yet should Huizenga phone again, Carroll will be listening.

``I'd take his phone call,'' he said. ``I'm kind of eager to see what he does.''

His competitive spirit calls, and the message to the USC faithful is clear.

Be very, very nervous.

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