As announced via email from USC President Max Nikias this afternoon, in a transparent attempt to dump embarrassing news on the Friday afternoon before the Super Bowl, Haden is stepping down at the end of this academic year.
The letter praises Haden, a ‘Trojan legend,’ to high heaven for his ‘Herculean effort,’ his ‘adamantine’ prioritizing of the student athelete, his ‘integrity, energy, wisdom, and character.’ The adoration is so overblown, you’d be forgiven for assuming this was ghost-written by the Los Angeles Times.
But don’t be fooled by the Traveler-crap piled high on this announcement, this is a firing, plain and simple.