The only disappointment in the news about Pat Haden is that he's taking over as USC athletic director and not governor of California.The shock in this hiring is that it took so long for someone to figure out - especially at his own school.
It has been months since the NCAA put USC on a public perp walk. For all the good he did in his nearly two decades of directing the Trojans' athletic department, Mike Garrett was clearly and indisputably toast. Even if it isn't his fault, the buck stops with the guy in the big office on these things.
In a search for an athletic director, schools always seek one of their own first. They want someone who represents them well - especially nice if it's on the playing field. They want someone with a positive reputation, ideally with a likable personality and with speech-making flair for the 10,000 rotary-club luncheons about to become that person's future. They want someone with integrity and believability. Having a great sense of humor and a history of being successful in life are nice bonuses.
So, USC, how hard was that? You'd have a tougher decision deciding on what you want for breakfast.