ESPN Films’ Peabody and Emmy Award-winning 30 for 30 documentary series returns with “Trojan War” on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. The film, which kicks off 30 for 30 Volume III, is the first in the five-film fall slate premiering every Tuesday in prime time on ESPN through November 10.
When Pete Carroll took over the football program at USC after the 2000 season, the once-great Trojans were under siege. But thanks to his football knowledge, upbeat personality and recruiting skills, Southern Cal was soon back atop the college football world. Home attendance skyrocketed, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush won Heismans and the Trojans put together a 34-game winning streak.
As it would be later discovered, though, the program was committing sins that would result in lost scholarships, victories and one of those Heismans. But those revelations didn’t come until after the national championship game in the 2006 Rose Bowl between USC and the University of Texas. Featuring interviews with Carroll, Leinart and others inside the USC program at the time, “Trojan War” looks at Carroll’s nine-year USC reign through the prism of that game, considered one of the greatest in college football history. It was also the beginning of the end. Preview clip: http://es.pn/1j5jH7E
“The Pete Carroll era at USC coincided with my years as a film student at the school,” says director Aaron Rahsaan Thomas. “It was a time of excitement, a time of domination, a time of peaks and valleys…In short, perfect material for an entertaining cinematic ride.”
30 for 30 films will debut on ESPN as follows (all times ET):
Tuesday, Oct. 13, 9 p.m. – “Trojan War”
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 9 p.m. – “Down in the Valley”
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 9 p.m. – “The Prince of Pennsylvania”
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 9 p.m. – “The Gospel According to Mac”
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 8 p.m. — “Chasing Tyson”
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
