What does USC athletic director Pat Haden do when he’s not taking down Reggie Bush jerseys in Heritage Hall or closely monitoring Lane Kiffin? Contemplating football independence, of course.
“I think you always have to look at every opportunity,” Haden said from Hawaii. “We’re a happy member of the Pac-10. I don’t have any ulterior motives or plans to advance the ball on this. I think the Pac-10 with a new commissioner and new opportunities has some growth built in already.”
Just one day after shunning the Mountain West for good, BYU inked an eight-year deal with ESPN to help firm its independent footing. Certainly USC has the alumni base, national interest and media market to make a move towards independence, but a new Pac-12 television deal on the horizon could temper such bold thoughts.
Either way, Haden is keeping the door open.
“I think you have to (consider independence). As an athletic director in today’s environment, you have to consider every alternative.”
