Men of Troy

A deeply reported account of the 2000s USC Trojans, illustrating how a failed NFL coach, unheralded cross-eyed quarterback, and a generational running back talent conquered Los Angeles and captivated the sporting world.

The  University of Southern California received thousands of angry calls in 2001, after hiring former NFL coach, Pete Carroll, to resurrect the moribund program. “He’s a failure” and “RIP: USC Football” were common refrains on campus, among wealthy boosters, and throughout Los Angeles. By the end of the decade, however,  Carroll had turned USC into a legendary juggernaut with multiple Heisman Winners and National Championships.

In MEN OF TROY, New York Times bestselling author Monte Burke provides the definitive account of this singular dynasty. Based on original reporting and over 100 new interviews, Burke illustrates how Carroll and his colorful cast of players—including cross-eyed quarterback turned heartthrob, Matt Leinart and a generational talent in running back, Reggie Bush—not only took over college football, but Los Angeles and the country, too.

USC home games soon became the hottest ticket in Los Angeles. A-List celebrities fought to be invited on the sidelines, hobnobbing with players and staff. Burke not only takes readers behind the iconic games of this era, but also behind-the-scenes and on the recruiting trail. He’ll also put the dynasty in proper context, showing how many of the “scandals” the Trojans weathered are par for the course—or entirely legal—in the sport’s current landscape.