Steve Sarkisian And The NCAA Athletics Quagmire: A Call to Action for Accountability and Transparency

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The Steve Sarkisian saga continues to roll along as we head toward Christmas and New Years.  The latest chapter involves a lawsuit filed by Sarkisian and his legal team against USC asking for $30 million dollars in damages.  How much of that $30 million Sarkisian gets remains to be seen.  My guess is lawyers from both sides will get together and come to some sort of financial agreement that works out for both parties.  Oh and the last time I checked, having a problem with alcohol does not count as having a disability in my book.  This is coming from a person who has an actual disability, so give me a break please!



By now, we're probably all familiar with the speech from four months ago at a USC pep rally that caused trouble for Sarkisian.



The bigger issue I want to focus on here is that going forward, athletic departments at any academic institution, big or small need to do a better job at looking closer at the individuals they hire when conducting background checks.  I realize that having issues with acoholism isn't something that should not keep an individual from being hired for a certain job position, but common sense would probably tell us that it certainly wouldn't look good to prospective employers who no doubt want to hire the best candidates for any job openings.

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In USC's situation, I really have no idea what USC Athletic Director Pat Haden considered as essential job requirements when he ultimately hired Sarkisian for the USC head coaching position two years ago, especially since it's been well publicized by now that Sarkisian's issues with alcohol date back to his time as head coach for the Huskies at the University of Washington.



From Sarkisian's perspective, he will most likely be given a second chance to coach at some other university or possibly the NFL because we've seen coaches come and go in both the College and Professional ranks over the years.  All I know is that if I were in charge of the hiring process, Sark would have to get his personal life in order first before I would even consider gim him that second chance.



Tim Musick
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Tim's Two Cents-January 13

Lane Kiffin in as USC Head Coach.  This move was somewhat shocking.  Kiffin's name wasn't even on USC's radar originally.  Kiffin lasted only one year as the head coach of Tennessee.  Given the landscape of college football, I'm not surprised this kind of move happened.

College coaches have made a routine of changing jobs, so why should this be any different.  Even though Tennessee fans are up in arms this morning, they will go out and probably hire another big time coach.  Then he will probably last a few years before either being fired, resigning or accepting another job offer somewhere else.

As for Kiffin and USC, it makes sense.  Kiffin was on Pete Carroll's staff from 2001-2006.  From the numerous media reports, Kiffin has been working to assemble a who's who of coaching staffs that includes Kiffin's father Monty as defensive coordinator, Ed Orgeron as assistant head coach and possibly Norm Chow as offensive coordinator.

Here's something to keep in mind that could spoil the celebration in Los Angeles.  While USC and its fans are probably jumping for joy this morning, let's not forget the NCAA investigation into USC football that could bring more sanctions to USC athletics in a few week's time.

Tim's Two Cents-January 9

Seattle Seahawks Targeting Pete Carroll?  In a surprising move in the NFL yesterday, the Seattle Seahawks fired head coach Jim Mora after only one year.  What's even more surprising who they are reportedly targeting as Mora's replacemant.  His name is Pete Carroll of USC.  If this is true, then USC fans are probably shaking in their boots. 

This wouldn't be Carroll's first adventure as an NFL coach, having previously coached the New York Jets in 1994 and the New England Patriots from 197-1999. 

At USC, Carroll is coming off a sub par 2009 season.  It was a season in which the Trojans failed to win at least 10 games for the first time since Carroll took over the position.  They had to settle for a spot in the Emerald Bowl to finish the season instead of a BCS bowl appearance  There was also the Stafon Johnson weight lifting accident that ended Johnson's season and the Joe McKnight SUV investigation.  Speaking of McKnight, he has reportedly decided to enter the 2010 NFL Draft. 

Could there be dark storm clouds forming at USC?  Does Pete Carroll know something that we don't?  Only time will tell if the time has come for Carroll to move on from USC before something else happens.

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Tim's Two Cents-December 26

What Has Happened to USC Football This Season?  They used to be a perrenial college football powerhouse the last few years under head coach Pete Carroll.  After going 8-4 this season, they will be playing in a bowl game, just not the Rose Bowl or any of the other big time bowls.  Instead, they have to settle for the Emerald Bowl tonight, in of all places, San Francisco!

I will say that USC seemed primed to have a down year at the start of the season.  There was the Stafon Johnson weightlifting accident.  A true freshman was the starter at quarterback throughout the season.  An assistant coach left the program to become a head coach at Washingtion, who beat USC early on.  There were also key losses against Oregon in Eugene and Stanford at the coliseum.  Four losses is way too many to be considered for a spot in the National Championship.  Now Joe McKnight is under investigation by the NCAA for possibly using an SUV registered to a Los Angeles business man.  By the way, that's another thing I don't get about the NCAA.  They seem to have way too many rules and regulations that athletes must follow.  Sometimes it seems like the NCAA should have better things to worry about than these things.  

As for the bowl game, USC is taking on Boston College.  I think they'll win, but I wouldn't be suprised if Boston College pulls off the upset, given the season the Trojans have had coming into the game.

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