Jim Mora: Pete Carroll is a “Cheater”
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Jim Mora opened up his mouth again. And again, he didn’t think before speaking.
In a interview earlier this offseason with Dave Mahler and Hugh Millen on 950 KJR AM, the former head coach referred to Pete Carroll as a “cheater.”
Remember, this isn’t the first time Mora’s careless words have gotten him in hot water.
On the same show with Dave Mahler in 2006, Mora was asked about returning to Seattle as the head coach of the University of Washington Huskies. Of course, Washington is Mora’s alma mater, and he played defensive back for the Huskies from 1980-83.
“Well, I really have a lot of respect for Ty [Willingham], and I know he’ll do a great job. But if he ever decides to move on, and get in the NFL, or, you know, go back to Notre Dame or whatever … if that job’s open, you’ll find me at the friggin’ head of the line, with my résumé in hand, ready to take that job.”
Great enthusiasm. Unfortunately, Mora was still the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons at the time. To make matters worse, Mora continued spouting nonsense without considering consequences.
“I don’t care if we’re in the middle of a playoff run, I’m packing my stuff and coming back to Seattle.”
Mora, although apologetic after the interview, was later relieved of his duties in Atlanta.
In his most recent blunder, Jim Mora tried to casually describe Pete Carroll’s tenure at Southern Cal.
“If you’re a person that does not have integrity, that doesn’t play by the rules, that doesn’t put other people first, that cheats … that doesn’t necessarily play by the rules, then I think at the end of the day, you’re gonna struggle emotionally,” Mora told Mahler and Millen.
The problem? In his brief pause, it appeared as if Mora lipped the phrase, “Pete Carroll cheats.” Of course, following the pause, Mahler and Millen both broke out in laughter.
If you were listening on the radio, you probably didn’t hear it. Unfortunately for Mora, the Dave “Softy” Mahler show is broadcast daily on Comcast, so the show is also visible on television. Mora tried to innocently call Carroll a cheater, but conveniently forgot that he was on live television.
Mora just doesn’t get it. Someone of his stature should know better.
He surprised a lot of people by calling out Olindo Mare following a loss to the Chicago Bears at home last season. He upset some people when he criticized John Carlson’s impact in the passing game. Jim Mora just doesn’t think before he speaks sometimes.
Personally, I don’t have a real problem with him calling Carroll a cheater. As Washington alumni, Mora and I are on the same page; the Trojans had a dirty program and won games the wrong way. As a fan of the Huskies, I couldn’t agree more.
But there is no evidence that Pete Carroll is a cheater with no integrity or empathy towards others. Was Don James a cheater? Most Huskies would defend his legacy and disagree.
I think Mora was calling out Carroll as one Husky fan to another. But who knows? Maybe Mora was slightly bitter and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bash the guy who took his job in Seattle.
Video: Maximize for a better view. The incident occurs around 7:00.
Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
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