From all that I read about Kiffin and Chow back when Chow left for the Titans was that Kiffin back stabbed him with Pete and there was no love lost. So when it first came up I thought, damn working for Slick Rick must be really bad for him to back and work for Kiffin.
I'm going to guess that they tried to throw a ton of money at Chow (at least enough to listen). Chow's issue at USC, according to guys who went there, played there and remain close to the program, was with the Poodle.. Although with Sark, Kiffin etc on the staff... that was a tank full of sharks
Corey, Your information jibes with what I heard on ESPN from a female reporter in LA re: Chow's problem being with Carroll. I think she said that Carroll moved him out of the OC position and moved his mentor's son, LK, into the position.