USC AD Pat Haden resigning June 30

USC aounced Pat Haden will resign as athletic director June 30, but it doesn’t mean Haden is severing ties with the university.

USC president Max Nikias said Haden “has agreed to a one-year term to guide our renovation of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Begiing July 1, 2016, and ending June 30, 2017, he will maintain an office in the Bovard Administration Building, working closely with me and reporting directly to me as he heads a fundraising initiative focused on renewing the nation’s most venerable stadium and the home of Trojan football.”

Nikias also said he “will be working closely with Nick Brill, principal and co-founder of the Brill Neuma executive search firm, to identify USC’s next athletic director. His firm brings valuable experience working with USC, and me directly, on previous executive searches, including senior vice president positions. The process will be national in scope, with all proceedings held in the strictest confidence, for the benefit of USC Athletics and all qualified candidates.”

Haden replaced Mike Garrett as USC athletic director Aug. 3, 2010.

USC senior admnistrator Steve Lopes is considered a frontruer if Nikias goes for an in-house candidate. Another possibility could be senior associate athletic director J.K. McKay, who is Haden’s best friend and worked closely with him at USC the past five years.

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