Talk is Cheap: Haden Was Responsible For Hiring A Sleazebag Like Kiffin
by Nestor on Jul 20, 2010 1:55 PM PDT
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PrintThanks to Fox71 for pointing us to this post from SportsByBrooks back in January which noted the incoming Trojan Athletic Director Pat Haden was one of two key figures leading the search of Trojan's next football coach:
Sources familiar with the USC Board of Trustees and the Trojans coaching situation told me today that USC Board of Trustee members Pat Haden and Ed Roski are leading the search for USC's next football coach.
Trustee Chair Roski is a billionaire real estate developer who also is the leading figure in the push to bring the NFL back to L.A. and Haden is a former USC and NFL QB, current football announcer and prominent local businessman.
We all know how that turned out. Interestingly in the same post SbB also nailed the prediction that Trogans would end up hiring Pat Haden after booting Garrett out of the program. So good for him.
Now, we don't really care if Southern Cal brought in the Pope to clean up their shady program, it doesn't matter much when the new guy in charge played a role in one of the sleaziest head coaches in the game (who BTW was a key part of the stained Reggie Bush era under Cheatey Petey). Also, as one of our commenters pointed out in our last thread Haden was part of the same Board of Trustees that sat by passively and basically nodded while Petey was "cheating forever" during all those tainted years at Southern Cal.
So color us not being all that impressed. In addition from the LA Times story today:
Haden also said one of his first moves would be to create the position of associate athletic director for football, a liaison to Coach Lane Kiffin, and fill it with J.K. McKay, an L.A. lawyer who is a longtime friend. McKay, son of USC Coach John McKay, was a star wide receiver on the USC teams Haden quarterbacked.
That should raise more questions. How much control will he have over Kiffin's shenanigans? Haden mentions a liaison for the football program is he already passing the buck for overseeing the football team? More after the jump.
Southern Cal's new President has released a shiny memo about how they are intent on cleaning up their program with key hiring of high ranking compliance officials. They are also making a big show about returning Reggie Bush's tarnished "Heisman" (guess it is official now ... LOL) and trashing images of OJ Payo's stained "career" from their athletic facilities. Yet, interestingly I guess they are still going to keep the Heisman award and trophy won by OJ Simpson.
Making reactive (but insufficient) changes now doesn't change the systematic cheating that gave Trojans unfair advantage for years. So it NCAA would be foolish if it is actually impressed by moves that are too little too late.
If Pat Haden and the new Trojan President is really intent on making a sincere statement about their commitment to bringing some kind of integrity to a program (that has never cared about it), they would drop the bogus appeal. Until then talk is a little cheap. Then again when it comes to Trogans, the splashy words about integrity are always just that ... talk.
Now we know it's a good bet that ESPN and the traditional media in Southern California will eat (no we are not talking about just SChilly Smith) them again. Hopefully the NCAA is not dumb enough to fall for the PR stunt and sticks to substance.
GO BRUINS.
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Maybe they are not taking action on OJ is
OJ’s doings are not related to their football program, the athletic department and/or the school? OJ did them after “graduation” from the school.
Guess he has no problem glorifying a criminal (and a killer) then
Yet he is going to wax poetic about integrity?
Thank you Mr. Haden!
I guess we have to be thankful to Pat Haden for bringing Hello Kiffen to south central. Could you imagine if he was able to hire a decent proven coach. That would have certainly helped put USC on the road to recovery and continued dominance. Sigh of relief!!
Pat Haden and past business dealings
As luck would have it, I had business dealings over about 3 months with Pat Haden in about 2000. He was located in downtown and had a nice office. My impression of him was, and is, a nice guy. Definitely a “team player” who is interested in everyone getting along and a true SC “guy”, even though our dealings were neutral as to school ties. At the time he was broadcasting as well.
As an AD, I would predict a good public image with a similar image behind the scenes. As to dealing with messy internal compliance issues, he would most likely defer to the administration or whoever is “in charge” (read wealthy and influential alums). That is my take on him. The Kiffin hire was likely popular with the W and IA and Pat’s job to sell to Kiffin and others. This promises to be completely different than the Garrett era with less of an arrogant AD image.
Bill
Mensgym
I see it differently
I see it as a very polished, all american boy image who is trogan through and through. He will say more eloquently what trogies always say. I am still somewhat amazed that not one trOJie insider had anything critical to say about anything that happened. One of Haden’s colleagues on the Board of Trustees said that the trogans just broke the rules, they didn’t cheat. No one – not one person – in a position of authority said that there was anything smelly.
Haden may be different. He sure doesn’t appear to be different. He’s probably smart enough to make sure that there are no more scandals, but there are two ways to do that. One way is to take significant, proactive steps to make sure there is no cheating. The other is to make sure the cheating is covered up better than it was in the past.
Nothing has happened that would suggest that the trogan mindset is changing at all. I know how I think the future will play out.
I am now about played out on this subject. I leave one more item for consideration. Will Pat Haden voluntarily increase the sanctions based on the McKnight SUV incident? That would be the ethical thing to do. What is the likelihood of that happening? What is the likelihood that the daily trogan aka the fishwrap will ask a question that comes within 20 miles of that subject?
Agree with Fox71 100%
Haden is more polished than Mikey but is a trOJan through and through, as stated. Remember he learned from John Mc Kay – another Petey.
by Forever a Bruin on Jul 22, 2010 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Integrity?
If the Garrett firing is an admission of guilt and brings shame upon the university why does Mike get to keep his heisman?
Haden was the safe choice
As far as SC is concerned, he was safe and will look so much better than MG, he will garner great media attention and support, just what SC will continue to need. As to Fox71’s comment about his smarts, I would have to side with Haden being smart and wanting to protect his personal image. Remember, Haden has a national following with is broadcasting, and VC work, so it is bigger than SC.
Will be fascinated to see how all this plays out with Haden/Kiffin. That, to me, is a combination borne to be a problem. If Haden goes along with the shenanigans from previous Kiffin exploits, Haden is less the person I knew. If he acts as i believe he will, Kiffin will be either out or restricted enough that SC will be “fair game” in football.
Bill
Mensgym
Still doesn't explain
How did Haden sign off on the hiring of Kiffin (if he was one of the two figures leading the search).
Not many coaches wanted the job
Maybe Haden had to use a lot of persuasion to get
Kiffin to accept being Petey’s patsy… um, replacement.
by KnudsenRockne on Jul 20, 2010 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions
not only the safe choice
but probably a short run at that. I think he’s there to stop some of the bleeding then will give way to McKay. Not sure why he signed off on the Lame deal? maybe he’s just the golden boy figure head? Then again he is a tojam. He lived in the McKay home so he could attend Bishop Amat high school while his folks lived in Northern Cal. I met him at school events when i was a kid and he seemed like a great guy. Too bad he went to the wrong school.
Funny thing is Lame probably had more to do with the scandal at suc than Pete the cheat did…
"Success is never final, Failure is never fatal. It's Courage that count's"
John Wooden.....
Probably the most significant move by SC
was the hiring of the Freeh group, as an outside consultant to monitor NCAA compliance. This should provide a paper trail for NCAA compliance officers in the future, and could lead to greater accountability than insiders who have the incentive to turn a blind eye to wrongdoing. As far as Haden goes, I doubt that hiring anyone other than Nan Wooden would satisfy the Bruin faithful.
Right
So it had to be Nan Wooden to not be concerned about a track record of bringing in a habitual NCAA scofflaw like Lamey while paradoxically speaking about matters of integrity. Call me when Haden ends their ridiculous appeal of their sanctions. Then we’ll talk about accountability and compliance.
Firing Garrett certainly signals a change in course from arrogant denial.
Hiring Haden is a signal that they intend to enforce compliance. The guy has a great reputation for integrity and honesty. It is a fair point that Lamey had a habit of committing minor violations at Tennessee. I love Neuheisel, but if past non-compliance was a reason to taint the AD, then Guerrero doesn’t meet the standard. I don’t subscribe to that. I also understand that there is a big difference between CRN and Lamey, and that is, CRN has admitted mistakes and vowed to change. Nothing but arrogance from Lamey. However, Lamey was dinged for about 6 violations. CRN’s numbers exceeded 50 (admittedly remote in time, and none as a Bruin head coach.) My expectation is that under Haden, compliance will his number one priority, for many reason, including the fact that everyone will be watching. As far as withdrawing their appeal, SUC like anyone else is entitled to due process, which will most likely result in affirmance of the sanctions.
I am all Bruin, and I find many Trogans to be arrogant and ignorant. I just don’t put Haden among those, based on a life’s work in the public eye. Competing against the Trogans on a level playing field is all that we Bruins should want. I think Haden plus the sanctions makes that a likelihood.
I must have missed the part where we were under investigation
The hiring of Lamey in that context shits all over whatever he may say about wanting to enforce the rules. Hiring a guy who was under an NCAA investigation to a place that is itself under investigation is more than enough reason for skepticism. I don’t care if you have a hard on for this guy. That entire institution is tainted, and no one associated with them gets the benefit of the doubt from me. If he wants to demonstrate integrity, then he can announce that they’re dropping their appeal. Until then, he’s got a deep deep hole to dig out from under. Is it fair to place the burden of Garrett’s shitstorm upon his shoulders? Doesn’t matter. It’s his job. He needs to SHOW he’s serious, not just put up a good talk, and Lamey isn’t a great start for him. Your expectations of him are worthless in my eyes.
What has Ethical Pat done to earn "a great reputation for integrity and honesty"?
We know that when he was a student at just$c* he lived with the head coach. I don’t know if that was a violation of the rules back then (and of course had it been it wouldn’t have mattered to the trogans) or if it is a violation of the rules now. I have not heard Ethical Pat speak on this issue. Did or does he have a legal duty to speak on this issue? Of course not. Should he tell the world how just$c* would treat such a situation now? I think he should. He obviously doesn’t think he should because I haven’t heard him address the issue.
According to the Clarence Reece article, when Ethical Pat was a student, there was never a problem getting grades changed for football players. We also know that Senora Ross has her own views on grading. What is Ethical Pat’s view on that? I read on something that linked from here (I think called the demise of just$c or something like that), that Ethical Pat was appalled that some of his teammates when he was a student couldn’t spell. Well, we know that at least one trOJie has trouble spelling the word “trogan.” I haven’t heard where Ethical Pat has spoken on that issue. Weill he address it? He has no reason to, because as I read the message from the incoming president, athletics is the glue that keeps the cesspool together. So unless Ethical Pat is wiilling to cross the guy who hired him, I think we’ll see no major change in the balance between athletics and academics over there. I haven’t heard Ethical Pat speak on the issue, so does silence earn him “a great reputation fo rintegrity and honesty?”
What else do we know. Well, according to that Brooks link, Ethical Pat was one of the guys who hired Lame. If “integrity and honesty” were something that Ethical Pat was looking for in a coach, how can he justify hiring that person. Wasn’t it his assistant Igor, I mean, Ogeron, who said something to the effect that they weren’t angels and weren’t going to try to recruit angels? Did Ethical Pat not know what he was getting when he hired that crew? That doesn’t sound like a very intelligent thing, and we know that Ethical Pat is intelligent if nothing else. I think it’s fair to conclude that he got exactly what he was looking for. Hiring Lame speaks very very loudly to me about the “honesty and integrity” of Ethical Pat.
Anything else? Well, if I recall correctly, didn’t Ethical Pat give the outgoing AD over there “good grades”? If that’s so, and I may not have an accurate recollection, but if that’s so, then I think Ethical Pat has a problem with either his intelligence (and we know that’s not so) or his “reputation for honesty and integrity.”
Oh, yeah. Just one more thing. We have Ethical Pat as one of the 55 wealthy and influential alumni who actually run that place over there. One of the other 55 guys said publically that what just$c* did wasn’t cheating, it was just breaking the rules. I assume that Ethical Pat immediately called for that guy’s dismissal from the board, and made public his total disagreement with such a statement. I’m still looking for that in the news.
That’s the past – or at least some of the past. The future is where we’re looking now. Let’s see what Ethical Pat does about little things like actually doing what he says. Let’s start with McSUV. Ethical Pat should take decisive action about that, and the way he treats that issue will tell a great deal about his “great reputation for honesty and integrity.”
(One more thing, and I don’t mean to demean your Bruin credentials, and I don’t mean to suggest that we should not be mindful of past mistakes in our house, but I don’t think it’s fair to mention Coach Neuheisel in the same breath with Lame. It’s not fair to expect Lame to stop breaking the rules, because we know that’s acceptable to the trogan board of trustees, but Lame has never displated even one molecule of remorse for anything. Just an aside.)
Haden and cheating?
Pat Haden has impressed me in the past, as that rare Trogan athlete who actually was a student and enough so to get a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford and become an attorney. Unlike the Senora Ross crowd, he also can speak articulate paragraphs.
But what will he do? He did QB for, and live with, the cheater John McKay, whose son he’s bringing aboard. Fox and I have, from time to time, pointed out some of the SChenanigans from the McKay era, and I plan to put them together in context once the media rush of “Pat to clean up Troy” fades a bit.
NCAA should trust but verify?
how many lawyers do you need in the compliance department
if you plan on running a clean program? The rules aren’t that hard to follow, unless you are looking for ways to continually bend them beyond recognition. Their hiring of multiple attys to run the compliance department just shows they have no intention of following the spirit of NCAA regulations.
SC didn’t get in trouble for anything anyone with common sense wouldnt recognize as being a violation.
by silverlakebruin on Jul 20, 2010 5:38 PM PDT reply actions
How many Trogans does it take to change a light bulb?
Per WSU coach (who later moved to SC) George Raveling, the answer is “One, but the whole team gets credit.” Senora Ross says, “Si, verdad.”
Alberto, mi amigo...
…when I want your opinion, I’ll give it to you!~
~ Dubya
by C.T. in Boston on Jul 23, 2010 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Mixed Feelings Here
Even though Pat Haden had his way with us when he was the starting QB for the Trojans and he royally broke my heart in the ‘73 game in our 23-13 loss to ’SC, Haden was always one of my favorite QB’s when he was with my Los Angeles Rams and led the Rams to two N.F.C. Championship Games and probably would have started SB XIV had he not broken his pinkie finger in that game against Seattle in the ‘79 season. So it’‘s hard for me to dislike the guy. We’ll just have to see how his tenure there pans out. Interestingly, didn’t he and John Sciarra go to the same H.S?
Los Angeles Rams and the UCLA Bruins!!!!!
by Minnesota Bruinfan on Jul 21, 2010 4:42 AM PDT reply actions
Same Feeling About Pat
Wasnt easy to warm up to him after his SC days, but you had to admire the guy for having a successful NFL career while being “vertically challenged” and doing the hardest job in all of sports.
Could he be just another Trogan rule bender/breaker…sure
Or he just might be something they have never had, an AD with some character and integrity who wants to win playing clean…just like his crosstown rivals
by WestlakeVillage Bruin on Jul 21, 2010 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions
yes he did
only unlike Haden he chose the right college…LOL
"Success is never final, Failure is never fatal. It's Courage that count's"
John Wooden.....
Character and Integrity?
I will wait on that one. How do we know he has character and integrity? Because the media says so? He is a trOJan athlete. Not many trOJan athletes have character or integrity. Look at the list. I don’t want to be negative but in this case, I must. Sorry, Westlake Bruin. But, I hope you are right. It would be nice to play on the same, honest field with south central.
by Forever a Bruin on Jul 23, 2010 12:01 PM PDT reply actions
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