Charlie Weis' allegation/revelation that Pete Carroll is "living with a grad student in Malibu" is the wrong thing to say, even if he's right.

Carroll's response to Weis' stunning remarks was: "It's untrue, it's irresponsible, and it's incredible he'd be talking about me like that."

What Weis said about Carroll, in an interview with the website IrishIllustrated.com, was: "Let me ask you this question: You guys know about things that go on in different places. Was I living with a grad student in Malibu, or was I living with my wife in my house? You could bet that if I were living with a grad student here in South Bend, it would be national news. He's doing it in Malibu and it's not national news. What's the difference? I don't understand. Why is it okay for one guy to do things like that, but for me, I'm scrutinized when I swear. I'm sorry for swearing, absolve my sins."

If, as Carroll insists, Weis' comments are untrue, then they are beyond irresponsible -- they are reprehensible. To cast such aspersions, without confirmed knowledge of the situation, is unforgivable.

Quoting from Carroll's biography on the USC website: "He and his wife, Glena, who played volleyball at Pacific, have three children: sons Brennan, 30, who played tight end at Pittsburgh and is now an assistant at USC, and Nate, 21, a junior at USC, and daughter Jaime, 26, who played on the Women of Troy's highly-ranked volleyball team which competed in the 2000 NCAA Final Four."

Even if Weis is correct -- Carroll wouldn't be the first man to deny such allegations, even when true -- then why would Weis reveal the situation?

It's one thing for a supermarket tabloid to thrust such things into the public eye, but for a fellow coach?

Whether Weis condemns or condones the behavior he's attributing to Carroll, there was no reason for him to bring it up.

Weis has damaged his own reputation -- already tarnished professionally by his recent firing by his alma mater, Notre Dame, after failing to finish over .500 in any of his last three regular seasons as coach -- by calling out Carroll in such an outspoken, unprovoked manner.