Last updated 4:15 p.m.
Los Angeles — USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett will step down from his position August 3, making room for former Trojan quarterback Pat Haden, a commentator on NBC’s Notre Dame football, to take the reins.
USC president-elect Max Nikias announced the move in a statement Tuesday at 10:41 a.m., along with a handful of other decisions.
Haden will step down from his post as a member of the USC Board of Trustees to assume the new role, according to the president-elect.
"I am very pleased to announce that Patrick C. Haden has accepted my offer to become USC’s next athletic director,” Nikias said. “[He] will report directly to me.”
In 17 years as athletic director, Garrett helped return USC to greatness in many sports, winning a total of 19 national championships and bringing in coach Pete Carroll and his staff to mark one of the most dominant dynasties in college football history.
Nikias, who will himself take office this fall, thanked Garrett for his service.
“As I assume the office of the USC President, I would especially like to recognize and thank Mike Garrett again for his service to the university for the past 17 years,” Nikias said. “Anyone who knows Mike Garrett is aware than [sic] no one has been more passionate about the Trojan Family and our storied Trojan athletic heritage.”
Nikias also addressed the scandals that came to plague Garrett’s reign as athletic director, including NCAA sanctions that came last month banning USC from the football postseason and taking away 10 scholarships for the next two years.
In his statement, Nikias ordered the removal of sports jerseys and murals featuring basketball player O.J. Mayo and football star Reggie Bush.
“I have instructed the senior vice president for administration to remove athletic jerseys and murals displayed in recognition of O.J. Mayo and Reggie Bush by mid-August — before the incoming class of students moves on campus — from Heritage Hall, the Galen Center, and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Nikias also said Reggie Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophy will be returned to the Heisman Trophy Trust in August.
There are two Heisman Trophies for 2005, one that went to USC and the other that went to Bush. Bush has not been asked to return his personal Heisman yet.
“Our Trojan student-athletes are indeed student first and foremost; thus the USC experience must ensure that they are nourished by and beholden to the noblest values of the academy and of society,” he said.
“USC will move forward, guided by the best withing our athletic and academic heritage.”
