USC Trojans; A New Era of Uncertainty

In January of 2005, the University of Southern California was on top of the world following a thrashing of Big 12 power, Oklahoma University. They were at the peak of their powers with players such as Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, Lendale White, Lawrence Jackson, Sedrick Ellis, Rey Maualuga, and Brian Cushing. It was a great day for a team led by the charismatic Pete Carroll who resurrected a once proud tradition in just three short years.

Flash forward five years later, the memories of glory that USC enjoyed is now all but forgotten following the sanctions leveled by the NCAA just last month. The findings were mostly about Reggie Bush taking money, cars, accessories and such from Lloyd Lake while at USC. His refusal to pay the booster has led to years of investigations by NCAA towards the University and its failures from the staff to root out the problem. This has led to the resignations of Athletic Director Mike Garrett, football coordinators, loss of scholarships, and a bowl ban for the upcoming season.

The resignation of Mike Garrett ends a 17 year run that oversaw success in football,tennis, baseball, water polo and a high graduation rate. Unfortunately, his legacy takes a beating for his aloofness to the media and inability to answer any questions during the investigation of the football as well as the basketball team. His speech to boosters in San Francisco following the punishment basically described the USC football program best during its 8 year run: Arrogance.

Prior to his resignation, the men's basketball team was also being investigated due to then coach Tim Floyd allegedly providing money to an L.A. events promoter to lure OJ Mayo, currently playing for the Memphis Grizzlies, to USC. Garrett then filed a self-imposed postseason ban and vacating of 21 wins from the 2007-08 season that one writer called as an effort to protect the football team aka money cow. Alas, it did not.

Currently, the University is appealing the ruling by the NCAA. Yesterday, was also the hiring of Pat Haden as the new Athletic Director. Pat Haden was a former Trojan great, Rhodes Scholar and recently an announcer for Notre Dame football games. He is viewed as a good choice and someone with good media skills to handle the finicky nature of the media such as Los Angeles. Haden hired JK Mckay, son of USC coaching great John McKay and former college teammate. They go way back as far as their high school days and at one time playing for a long forgotten Southern California Sun of the World Football League .

Later in the day, the USC president has ordered the removal of murals depicting fallen heroes, Reggie Bush, and OJ Mayo. The University has taken down his retired jersey from the Coliseum as well as any pictures depicting them as well. They have also sent the 2005 Heisman Trophy won by Reggie Bush to the Heisman Trophy Trust, which is an unprecedented move in collegiate athletics.

Yet, it begs the question whether it can help in its appeals process. It certainly is a step in the right direction as the report stated the University distance itself from Reggie Bush. Can they win an appeal against the NCAA? It's a long shot that may take 1-2 years at best. All that is certain is that the University, Haden and McKay have a big mess to clean up. It will take years to clean up even if they win because as history has shown few colleges or universities ever came away from this unscathed. Just ask Miami in the mid-90s.