Try this one on for size: At a USC practice Tuesday, the offense and defense were tied 12-12 at the end.  So Coach Carroll, seemingly unphased by his Week 3 loss @ Washington and the recent tragic weightlifting injury to Stafon Johnson, decided the best way to determine the winner was by having a slip and slide competition between 58-year-old offensive line coach Pat Ruel and 43-year-old defensive line coach Jethro Franklin.

It was a rare rainy day in Southern California, and Carroll was going to take advantage of it.  Apparently the entire team went to the most wet and slippery part of the field and then the two coaches went at it.  After 2 rounds of craziness between the two, Franklin and the defense emerged the winner.

What’s next for Carroll?  With the ridiculous recruiting and his pro offensive and defensive schemes, he can do pretty much whatever he wants.  He is successful at creating pros at pretty much every position.  Will players compete in pie-eating contests to determine starting positions?  Maybe he’ll have the coaches drag race to see who gets to use the film room.  Whatever he does, you can be sure it will be cool.

Hat Tip Video – [Dr. Saturday]

When asked about the incident by reporters, USC coach Pete Carroll stated that it was Johnson’s last set on the bench press and there was a substantial amount of weight on the bar.  Johnson did have someone there to spot him, but unfortunately that did not save him in this instance.  He underwent surgery at about 2pm on Monday, and the procedure lasted seven hours.  Doctors at California Hospital described his condition as “critical but stable.” Surgeons were working to realign his larynx, and were hopeful that Johnson would eventually be able to regain his voice, however, no time table has been set for such developments.

It is unlikely that Johnson will be back again this season and as a senior, his playing career at USC may now be over.  He can attempt to receive a medical red shirt and stay an additional year in the Trojans backfield, or he can look to the 2010 NFL draft as the next step in his playing career.  The short-yardage specialist for USC may still have a future in football, but for now he, along with his family and friends, will be happy to hear that after this scary incident, the future of Johnson’s life has thankfully been spared.

Here is what Carroll had to say.

Hat Tip – [Dr. Saturday]