SC NOTEBOOK: SAMPLE: CARROLL RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

USC president Steven Sample acknowledged the football program is in ``trouble'' but said he believes new coach Pete Carroll is the right man for the job.

Sample, who did not attend Friday's press conference introducing Carroll as USC's next coach, said he supported Carroll's controversial hire and believes he is the correct choice to turn around the Trojans' sagging fortunes.

``We have to fix the football situation,'' Sample said. ``Our program is in trouble and I'm committed to making sure it resumes its rightful place in the sun.''

Sample's comments might sound surprising, because he has often been accused of ignoring athletics during his tenure at USC.

``Football is our flagship sport and marquee sport and generates a lot of revenue,'' Sample said. ``I like football and I enjoy it.''

Although Carroll's hire resulted in hundreds of angry phone calls to Sample's office, the president said he had no problems with Carroll's selection.

``I'm very impressed with Pete Carroll and very enthusiastic about him being the new coach,'' Sample said. ``I spent some time with him before he was hired.''

Sample reiterated that he fully supports athletic director Mike Garrett.

``I wasn't surprised with Mike's decision (to hire Carroll),'' Sample said. ``All of our other sports are doing well except this one, and I'm impressed with the job he's done. As far as I'm concerned, he's secure.''

--What happened? According to a highly placed university source, there was still some doubt over who USC would hire as football coach Friday morning. According to the source, USC contacted San Diego Chargers coach Mike Riley and offered him the job.

Riley declined and Carroll quickly was announced as the Trojans' next coach that afternoon. USC apparently went back to Riley one last time, after fan protests Thursday led to a cancellation of a scheduled press conference for Carroll.

Another source said the delay was only the result of protracted negotiations with Carroll.

--Orgeron staying: Carroll said he has officially decided to retain defensive-line coach Ed Orgeron.

The only other coach who is expected to have a chance to stay is running-backs coach Kennedy Pola, but he has not been informed if he will return.

It's unlikely Carroll will make any other announcements before Christmas, although offensive coordinator Hue Jackson cleaned out his office Monday. The leading candidate for the linebackers job is Green Bay Packers assistant Bo Pelini, but he will not be officially interviewed until the Packers' season is over.

USC tight-ends coach Brian Schottenheimer is interviewing with Notre Dame and North Carolina for positions on those staffs and wide-receivers coach Dan Ferrigno might end up at Oregon as tight-ends coach.