USC announced on Friday that athletic director Pat Haden is retiring, effective June 30, 2016. Haden stepped down from his position as a member of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee in October, citing health and ongoing changes at USC.
Haden will sign a one-year contract to keep him in an advisory role through 2017 to help guide the school through the renovations to the Coliseum, according to a letter sent out by school president Max Nikias.
A USC legend, Haden was a quarterback on the Trojans 1972 and 1974 national championship teams. He led USC in passing in 1973 and 1974 and ranks 14th in school history in completions (241) and 15th in total offense (3,802).
Haden took over as athletic director at USC on Aug. 3, 2010 and the lasting impression for many of Haden's tenure at USC is the Steve Sarkisian situation, for which Haden was heavily criticized for his handling of both Sarkisian's hiring and firing.
His last major decision at USC was the hiring of interim coach Clay Helton as the Trojans full-time head football coach. Despite criticisms, during his tenure as athletic director Haden helped raise over $400 million for the athletic department -- which is one of the major reason's he's being retained to oversee the Coliseum's renovations and help with fundraising.
The USC athletic director job will be a highly coveted one, as they have the tradition, resources and money that few athletic departments have. The job comes with pressure, but plenty of benefits, none greater than a very large salary -- Haden was the nation's highest paid athletic director in 2015.
