President Nikias Supports Pat Haden as USC Trojans Athletic Director during coaching search

With Steve Sarkisian out as the head football coach of USC, a great number of people inside and out of the Trojan family want Pat Haden to be the next to go. Earlier this morning University of Southern California President Max Nikias, however, released a statement of full support for Athletic Director Pat Haden ahead of his press conference today.

Here is the statement found on the USC Athletic Department Website:

"As president of USC I am very, very fortunate to have Pat Haden as our Athletic Director - as is the entire Trojan Family. 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."

This is sure to outrage many of those who are demanding Haden's ouster. This is understandable, but this statement reminds me of another time USC showed public support for an embattled figure in the athletic department. That statement was released shortly before Lane Kiffin was fired at the airport.

Fight on!