Pat Haden's term on the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee - ending in Feb. 2016 - coincides with his USC athletic director contract; and he is unsure of both roles going forward.
Speaking with ESPN, Haden said he will remain completely committed to the CFP selection process this coming season and the same can be said for his duties at the University of Southern California (USC). At 62, Haden's family now includes six grandchildren, but it is not clear what has him second-guessing a new contract with USC.
"He says, 'Max, I enjoy 80 percent of the job, and the other 20 percent is the headaches,'" USC President C.L. Max Nikias told ESPN. "I said, 'If this is your ratio, you are doing very well.'"
Haden had a highly publicized hospital stay in Aug. 2014 for an unspecified reason, but appears to be fine. He mentioned his health in talking to ESPN, but only to say he was feeling well.
"I'm certainly going to do it next year and then we're just going to see. Whatever the president wants me to do," he said. "My health is good.
"I had some issues. We're working through them, and I feel pretty good."
Haden's future also seems completely not dependent on the football team. Finally getting out from under the NCAA's harsh sanctions in the Reggie Bush scandal, the Trojans are coming into this season looking like a Pac-12 contender and possible CFP team.
"To be able to say, 'Hey, I was part of this college football committee,' that stuff for Pat matters to him that he's making a difference," USC head football coach Steve Sarkisian told ESPN. "He wants nothing more than for us to turn this thing around and win a championship while he's here so he can feel like he really made a difference, because he does, every day."
