USC and athletic director Pat Haden introduced the university’s new head coach, Steve Sarkisian, at a press conference Tuesday. A few interesting tidbits about the hiring process were revealed.
First, Haden said that they did everything they could to keep interim coach Ed Orgeron, who led the Trojans to a 6-2 record, on the staff.
USC AD Haden calls Ed Orgeron "one of the greatest Trojans of them all." Reiterates Orgeron "chose to leave" to pursue HC opportunities.
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) December 3, 2013
Orgeron, who Haden said was “interviewed for three hours several weeks ago,” wants to be a head coach and was “hurt” when they met Monday morning.
RT @DufresneLATimes: Haden says he hopes Orgeron goes somewhere "and makes me look like an idiot." — Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) December 3, 2013
Haden said that if USC would have beat UCLA it would not have meant Orgeron got the job.
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) December 3, 2013
Haden said that Sarkisian was the only person who was offered the job and that "he is uniquely positioned to have the smoothest, fastest, cleanest transition for our program."
When Sarkisian took the podium, he said his three priorities were to meet with the team's draft-eligible juniors, focus on mid-year recruiting and assembling his coaching staff.
"USC is about being the best. That's why we all chose to be a part of it. I want to be the best." #SarkUSC pic.twitter.com/XlkmvH5A7t
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) December 3, 2013
Sarkisian was hired by the Trojans Monday after being the head coach of the University of Washington since 2009. Sarkisian coached at USC as an offensive assistant from 2001-2003 and 2005-2008.
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