Monte Burke on MEN OF TROY: Pete Carroll’s USC, Reggie Bush, and the End of Amateurism

<p>Brian O’Leary interviews author Monte Burke about his book <strong>MEN OF TROY: The Epic Afternoons, Wild Nights, and Enduring Legacy of Pete Carroll’s USC Trojans</strong> (Grand Central Publishing, published January 13, 2026).</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

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<p>Buy <strong>MEN OF TROY</strong> at Amazon: <a href="https://amzn.to/47p8Mjs">https://amzn.to/47p8Mjs</a></p>

<p>Find Monte Burke: <a href="https://www.monteburke.com/">https://www.monteburke.com/</a></p>

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<p><strong>Segments:</strong></p>

<p>Meet Monte Burke</p>

<p>Growing Up With Football</p>

<p>Why College Saturdays Rule</p>