Jim Harbaugh, Pete Carroll resume tense coaching rivalry with Week 2's Chargers-Raiders matchup

The Las Vegas Raiders host the Los Angeles Chargers for a Week 2 matchup and a clash between AFC West rivals might be reason enough for the game to receive a national spotlight as the second part of ESPN's "Monday Night Football" doubleheader.

However, this game has a bit more heat because it resumes one of the more intriguing coaching rivalries of the past 20 years. When Pete Carroll was hired by the Raiders in January, that meant he would face Jim Harbaugh with the Chargers twice a season and renew a conflict that began in 2009.

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The two coaches have opposed one another 12 times between college and the NFL with Carroll holding a 7-5 edge. He also has two national championships and a Super Bowl title compared to Harbaugh's one national championship. (Carroll is 5-4 in their NFL matchups, while Harbaugh is 2-1 in their college meetings.)

Naturally, the two resuming their rivalry is a top storyline going into their Week 2 clash. Yet neither coach seemed interested in stoking the conflict beforehand. Carroll was rather chilly about it.

“I remember Jim... I have no fond memories," Carroll told reporters on Thursday, via ESPN's Ryan McFadden. "There have been great games.”

Harbaugh was more forthcoming when asked about the rivalry on Wednesday, even saying that he had "nothing but respect" for Carroll.

“That’s expected and pretty well documented,’’ Harbaugh said to Eric Smith on the Chargers' website. "He’s a great coach, one of the best. A lot of respect. I always thought if I had ever played for him or on one of his teams, I bet we would have been really good friends."

In another life, perhaps in an alternate universe, the White Stripes' "We're Going to Be Friends" could have been about those two. Alas, not in this reality.

Going into his third season at Stanford, Harbaugh and the Cardinal were ready to make a move in the Pac-10. Carroll's USC program ruled the conference, coming off a 12-1 season and a seven-year run during which the Trojans went 82-9 won two national championships, four Rose Bowls and seven Pac-10 titles.

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Much like the adage of a new inmate earning respect in prison by punching the biggest, baddest guy in the face, Harbaugh knew that he had to take down Carroll and USC to gain esteem in the conference and national college football picture.

Stanford upset then-No. 1 USC in Harbaugh's first season, 24-23, in 2007. But tensions between the two coaches officially heightened two seasons later.

In that 2009 matchup, Stanford not only defeated No. 9 USC, 55-21, but the Cardinal rubbed it in by scoring two touchdowns in the final six minutes. Adding to the indignity, Stanford scored a touchdown with under seven minutes remaining to take a 48-21 lead.

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However, Harbaugh opted to attempt a 2-point conversation rather than kick an extra point. The 2-point try failed, but the disrespect lingered and led to the most memorable moment between Carroll and Harbaugh.

When the game concluded, Carroll and Harbaugh didn't simply exchange the typical handshake between coaches at midfield. The Trojans coach confronted his colleague for his aggressive tactics with a question that has become infamous.

"What's your deal?" Carroll asked Harbaugh. "You all right?"

Perhaps taken aback or standing his ground, Harbaugh responded "Yeah, I'm good" and the two coaches exchanged a few more words as they walked down the field before separating to join their respective teams.

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Carroll arguably avenged that 2009 beating five years later when the Seahawks defeated the 49ers in the NFC championship game, 23-17, preventing San Francisco from going to a second consecutive Super Bowl and depriving Harbaugh of the championship that has thus far eluded him.

Eleven years later, Carroll and Harbaugh once again oppose each other (and will do so again in Week 13 on Nov. 30). Football fans are hoping the game lives up to advance billing and perhaps provides some spice between the two rivals.