USC athletic director Pat Haden apologizes for sideline rant
USC athletic director Pat Haden apologized for his sideline behavior during the Trojans’ 13-10 victory over Stanford on Saturday.
Between the third and fourth quarters, Haden went near the sidelines after receiving a text from a USC staff member. Before Haden’s appearance, USC was penalized on three straight plays, including USC head coach Steve Sarkisian being penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct and linebacker Hayes Pullard getting ejected for targeting.
“I apologize to (Pac 12) Commissioner (Larry) Scott, to the game officials, to Stanford and to the fans for any distraction I might have caused during Saturday's football game," Haden wrote in a release. "In retrospect, I should not have approached the game officials. I should have waited until after the game and gone through the appropriate channels."
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The Pac-12 said that it will review the incident.
Haden is one of the 13 members that will select the College Football Playoff participants later this year.
Haden says he will stay off the sidelines for USC's next two games: a road game at Boston College on Saturday and a home clash with Oregon State at the Coliseum on Sept. 27.
- Scooby Axson
