Sep 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans president C.L. Max Nikias (left) and athletic director Pat Haden before the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
USC athletic director Pat Haden will retire on June 30, the school announced Friday.
University president Max Nikias said Haden will start a one-year job guiding the renovation of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum from July 1, 2016, to June, 30, 2017.
The retirement comes after a tumultuous stretch for Haden, who has run USC’s athletic department for 5 1/2 years.
USC hired Haden in 2010 and he led the Trojans through a stretch of NCAA sanctions against the football program following the Reggie Bush booster scandal.
“He took on this role at a time when the department faced unprecedented pressure, externally and internally, requiring nothing less than a Herculean effort to rebuild its foundation for the long term,” Nikias said in a statement Friday. “… Pat has accomplished USC’s objectives here through his distinct blend of integrity, energy, wisdom, and character.”
Nikias credits the athletic department with raising over $400 million during Haden’s tenure.
Haden, a former USC quarterback, fired head coach Steve Sarkisian on Oct. 12 in the aftermath of concerns about the coach’s behavior. Sarkisian was placed on indefinite leave the day before the firing after reportedly showing up for duty under the influence of alcohol. Sarkisian has sued the school over his termination.
Later in October, Haden resigned from the College Football Playoff selection committee to focus on his health. Haden said he was advised by his doctors to reduce his workload.
On Nov. 30, Haden named Clay Helton as permanent head coach after he guided the Trojans to a 5-2 record and a berth into the Pac-12 championship game as the interim coach.
