Former USC Football Coach Pete Carroll to Speak at Marshall Graduation

Carroll, who led the Trojans to two national titles, will address the Class of 2026 in May.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:48pm

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Former USC football coach and Super Bowl champion Pete Carroll will return to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as the 2026 commencement speaker for the USC Marshall School of Business. Carroll, who led the Trojans to two national championships and seven consecutive conference titles during his tenure from 2001 to 2009, will address graduates during ceremonies in May.

Why it matters

Carroll's return to USC is significant as he is one of the most successful coaches in the school's history, leading the Trojans to unprecedented success on the field. His selection as the Marshall commencement speaker reflects his continued influence and connection to the university.

The details

Carroll will speak on leadership, resilience and lessons from his decades-long coaching career. He later coached the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship, making him one of the few coaches to win both a college football national title and a Super Bowl.

  • The university-wide commencement is scheduled for May 14, 2026.
  • Carroll co-taught a USC Marshall course in 2025 focused on leadership and performance.

The players

Pete Carroll

Former USC football coach who led the Trojans to two national championships and seven consecutive conference titles from 2001 to 2009. He later coached the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship.

Geoff Garrett

Dean of the USC Marshall School of Business.

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What they’re saying

“I am fired up to return to USC and the L.A. Coliseum, the place where we competed, won, and shared lifelong memories with the Trojan Family. I look forward to celebrating and challenging the Marshall Class of 2026 to pursue excellence in everything they do.”

— Pete Carroll

“Pete embodies the kind of human leadership we strive to develop at USC Marshall, and we're thrilled to welcome him back to inspire the Class of 2026 as they begin the next chapter of their leadership journeys.”

— Geoff Garrett, Dean, USC Marshall School of Business

What’s next

The specific time for the Marshall School graduation ceremony is expected to be announced closer to the May 14, 2026 event.

The takeaway

Pete Carroll's return to USC as the Marshall School commencement speaker highlights his enduring legacy and influence at the university, where he led the Trojans to unprecedented success on the football field. His selection reflects the school's desire to inspire the next generation of business leaders with his lessons on leadership and resilience.