In his first public address since announcing Steve Sarkisian's termination, Pat Haden admitted to making some mistakes but vowed to do things "better next time."
Haden, the athletic director at the University of Southern California (USC), came under fire when placed his head football coach on indefinite leave Sunday supposedly due to an understanding Sarkisian had with the school regarding an alcohol problem.
According to The Los Angeles Times, Haden gave a press conference Tuesday morning and indicated Sarkisian did not uphold his part of the agreement, which led to the coach being terminated the next day. USC boosters were said to have been upset with Haden for not coming down harder on Sarkisian for his drunken outburst in August at the team's Salute to Troy event.
"I felt a great deal of compassion for Steve Sarkisian," Haden told reporters of that incident. "He deserved another chance and that's what I gave him."
Citing an unnamed source, ESPN learned Haden established a "no-tolerance" policy regarding alcohol with Sarkisian, which likely included a ban on booze in the coaches' locker room. Unconfirmed reports indicated Sarkisian was intoxicated on the sideline during USC's win over Arizona State and then this past Sunday during a team meeting.
Haden indicated Sarkisian was not healthy in announcing the leave of absence, though HIPAA laws block him from discussing the nature of the sickness. However, the timing of Sarkisian's termination and Haden's comments would suggest alcohol consumption lead to the termination.
"Over the next 24 hours I was able to look further into the situation, gather facts and determine that Steve's conduct did not meet USC standards and the expectations of a head coach," The Times quoted Haden telling reporters about the gap between the leave of absence and termination. "[Sarkisian] violated those agreed-upon expectations."
Haden may have to make his next head football coach hiring really count to win over the program's boosters, but for now he still has the support of USC's president, Max Nikias.
"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," he said in a statement. "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."
