Brian O’Leary interviews author Monte Burke about his book MEN OF TROY: The Epic Afternoons, Wild Nights, and Enduring Legacy of Pete Carroll’s USC Trojans (Grand Central Publishing, published January 13, 2026).
Burke traces his own path into college football and writing, contrasts the atmosphere of college football with the NFL, and explains why coaches like Carroll and Nick Saban make compelling subjects.
We discuss USC’s unique Los Angeles moment with celebrity-laced practices, the program’s rise under Carroll, and how the Reggie Bush scandal exposed flaws in college football’s amateurism model and helped foreshadow NIL-era changes, while sanctions punished players like Matt Barkley who had no role in violations.
The conversation revisits defining games (the “Bush Push” and the Texas title loss), Carroll’s coaching style and staff, Pac-10 ripple effects, and ends with Carroll’s fishing life and Burke’s favorite fisheries.
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Buy MEN OF TROY at Amazon: https://amzn.to/47p8Mjs
Find Monte Burke: https://www.monteburke.com/
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Segments:
Meet Monte Burke
Growing Up With Football
Why College Saturdays Rule
From Saban to Carroll
USC Takes Over LA
Modern Era and Amateurism
Reggie Bush and NIL Shift
Sanctions Fallout on Players
Inside Pete Carroll Interviews
NCAA Politics and USC Anger
Party Culture Backfires
Agents Invade Heritage Hall
Six Inches From Immortality
Reggie Missing On Fourth Down
Pete Carroll Defends The Call
Carroll Legacy In Shadow
Recreating Iconic Games
USC Rivals And Pac-10 Shift
Coaching Tree And Lane Kiffin
Kiffin Pressure And Enemies
Trout Fishing And Calming Down
Raiders Job And Roster Reality
Angling Talk And Farewell
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Find Brian D. O’Leary:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@briandoleary
Substack: https://briandoleary.substack.com/