Riley: 'I'd love to have' Carroll on USC staff

Pete Carroll is back at USC, and head coach Lincoln Riley is excited about a potential partnership on the sideline.

Carroll announced earlier this week that he will be returning to USC - though not in a football role, but to teach a class next spring.

"I'd love to have him," Riley said, according to ESPN. "He's great. Coach has been great to me. We've had a chance to catch up pretty often, check in with each other. He's been a great resource and a great person to be able to pick his brain. He's been very good to me."

Riley added: "I'm excited he's going to be here more, and we'd be crazy not to take advantage of having him around. Whether it's an official role or not, he's made it very clear that we've got a good open line of communication."

Carroll moved on from his head coaching position with the Seattle Seahawks after 14 seasons. Though the 72-year-old was initially said to be staying with the franchise as an advisor, he revealed this week that he's kept his distance from the team.

Carroll won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks and also won two national titles with USC during his time as its head coach from 2001-2009.

Riley and the Trojans will be playing their first season in the Big Ten this year.