USC athletic director Pat Haden spoke Tuesday about the decision to fire head coach Steve Sarkisian, calling it “very hard”, while also defending his handling of the situation.
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As Carroll, USC’s former head coach who hired Sarkisian for his first coaching job 14 years ago, was speaking at Seahawks headquarters Monday more news came out from SB Nation that Sarkisian was checking into a “residential treatment facility” to treat an alcohol issue.
Otherwise, Nikias’ steadfast support for Haden may wane in the coming years.
He said Sarkisian violated agreed upon expectations and didn’t live up to conduct expected of Trojans coaches. “The decision didn’t work out, and I own that”. But only a context this unusual and dire could-ironically-provide Haden with the cover to dump Sarkisian right now, maximizing the amount of time USC can devote to retaining its current players and incoming recruits while positioning the school in the coaching search pole position.
“After careful consideration of what is in the best interest of the university and our student-athletes, I have made the decision to terminate Steve Sarkisian, effective immediately”, Haden’s statement read. “I really do look forward to talking with Steve at a few point, I really do”.
“I’m up-front and honest, but I also know the reality of the situation”, Helton added.
“I also reached out to his agent many times”, Haden said. “We dearly love him, he is a good man, he is a good coach, and we cannot wait for the day he’s back on the field doing what he loves, and that’s coaching football”.
November. 26, 2011: USC wraps up a 10-2 season with a 50-0 win over UCLA, but is denied the South Division title because of sanctions and isn’t allowed to participate in the Pac-12 championship game and, potentially, a BCS game. 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.
In recent weeks, Haden has faced criticism for not acting more swiftly, especially after Sarkisian acknowledged mixing alcohol with medication before the “Salute to Troy” pep rally in August.
“None raised a concern”, Haden said.
“USC athletic director Pat Haden and school officials should demonstrate that diversity in hiring is important to the athletic department”.
“I know who I am”.
“I understand that I can’t do it all”, he said.
The firing of coach Steve Sarkisian on Monday means the Trojans enter the game with their fourth coach in four seasons.
Haden, speaking after Helton at the press conference, expressed confidence in the coach. Several candidates have been prominently mentioned, such as Utah coach Kyle Whittingham and former Oregon coach Chip Kelly, but no coaches have been contacted. It’s about his personal life and getting things in order.
“Go talk to Max Nikias”, Haden said. Haden fired Lane Kiffin near midseason and Ed Orgeron became interim coach for eight games.
“Fortunately or unfortunately, we’ve been in this situation before”. “You have to be yourself and you have to coach them your own way”. “I told the guys, we’re going to win a lot of ballgames here and we’re going to have a lot of fun”.
On the difference between coaching one game and a half-season: “This is a different time”.
Florida Gators quarterback Will Grier, left, speaks to members of the media as head coach Jim McElwain listens Monday, October 12, 2015, in Gainesville, Fla.
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In other fallout from Sarkisian’s behavior one of the top recruits for the program, North Torrance High’s Mique Juarez, decommitted from the program Tuesday.
