Pat Haden defends USC’s actions regarding Steve Sarkisian
USC athletic director Pat Haden defended the school’s course of action in firing coach Steve Sarkisian.
Sarkisian was placed on a leave of absence Sunday afternoon following his absence at practice. He was fired on Monday.
Sarkisian said he was under the influence of medication and alcohol at a booster event in August where he made inappropriate remarks. He said he would seek treatment after the event and continued his duties as USC’s coach. His Sunday absence reportedly involved alcohol.
“I felt at that time it was in the best interests of our players, who have been through an incredible amount of adversity during these sanctions and the coaching changes they’ve gone through, and of Steve, not to suspend or fire him,” Haden said of his decision to keep Sarkisian in his current capacity in August. “At that time, based on the input of trusted medical professionals and staff, it was determined that he could continue coaching while seeking treatment.
“I felt a great deal of compassion for Steve Sarkisian. He deserved another chance and that’s what I gave him. After the Salute to Troy event, I had a private, detailed serious conversation with Steve and laid out our expectations for his behavior. He has violated those agreed-upon expectations and the conduct expected of all of our USC coaches.”
Haden said Sarkisian was fired after he uncovered more (undisclosed) details about the coach’s conduct. Sarkisian was given a termination letter on Monday after Haden said he could not get in touch with Sarkisian. Haden also said he investigated all “credible” reports involving Sarkisian and alcohol.
The AD’s handling of the situation has come under criticism. Haden said he was aware of the criticism. Before Haden’s news conference, USC president C.L. Max Nikias issued a statement supporting Haden.
“As president of USC I am very, very fortunate to have Pat Haden as our Athletic Director – as is the entire Trojan Family,” Nikias’ statement said. “He is a man of true character and integrity, he cares deeply for our student athletes, and he always makes their well-being his highest priority.
“Pat Haden has been doing an outstanding job in leading Trojan Athletics in the past five years and I want to take this opportunity to reiterate my unwavering support for him.
“I look forward to working with Pat Haden as our USC AD for many years to come.”
While saying he owned the fact that the decision to hire Sarkisian did not work out, Haden also defended the school’s hiring process. A Los Angeles Times report documented the expense reports involving alcohol that Sarkisian accumulated in his time as Washington’s coach. The expense reports were obtained via an open records request because Washington is a public university and raise questions as to how much USC knew about Sarkisian’s time at Washington before hiring him. Before he was the coach at Washington, Sarkisian was a co-offensive coordinator at USC.
Haden said the search firm looked up all relevant information about Sarkisian and talked to “dozens” of people who knew Sarkisian. Sarkisian, Haden said, also passed school and NCAA background checks.
USC offensive coordinator Clay Helton is once again USC’s interim coach. Haden fired Lane Kiffin in 2013 and Ed Orgeron became the team’s interim coach. After Haden hired Sarkisian from Washington, Orgeron resigned and Helton was the Trojans’ interim coach for the Las Vegas Bowl against Colorado State.
For more USC news, visit TrojanSports.com.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
