Lane Kiffin 'is not' on the hot seat, When considering that Southern California finished the 2012 season 7-6 after starting the year 6-1 it's only natural that people might wonder if coach Lane Kiffin is in jeopardy of losing his job should the Trojans not improve in 2013.
Well, USC athletic director Pat Haden wants you to know that's not the case.
In a video released for Pac-12 media days Haden addressed the question of Kiffin's status before anybody could even get a chance to ask him.
"He is not," said Haden. "I'm behind Lane Kiffin one hundred percent. I have great confidence in him. He's a very hard-working, detail-oriented coach. He's a dynamic play-caller in my estimation and he's an exceptional recruiter.
"He knows USC and he knows what it takes to be successful here."
There were high expectations for the Trojans in 2012, as many pegged them as the preseason No. 1 team in the country coming off a 10-2 season with a Heisman favorite in quarterback Matt Barkley. Instead USC and Barkley dealt with injuries and limped to the finish line before losing to Georgia Tech in the Sun Bowl to finish the season.
Kiffin has gone 25-13 in his three seasons with the Trojans, and it's important to remember the scholarship limitations he's working with due to NCAA violations that occurred long before he arrived at the school.
However, should the problems of 2012 continue into 2013, it will be interesting to see whether or not Haden changes his tune.
Well, USC athletic director Pat Haden wants you to know that's not the case.
In a video released for Pac-12 media days Haden addressed the question of Kiffin's status before anybody could even get a chance to ask him.
"He is not," said Haden. "I'm behind Lane Kiffin one hundred percent. I have great confidence in him. He's a very hard-working, detail-oriented coach. He's a dynamic play-caller in my estimation and he's an exceptional recruiter.
"He knows USC and he knows what it takes to be successful here."
There were high expectations for the Trojans in 2012, as many pegged them as the preseason No. 1 team in the country coming off a 10-2 season with a Heisman favorite in quarterback Matt Barkley. Instead USC and Barkley dealt with injuries and limped to the finish line before losing to Georgia Tech in the Sun Bowl to finish the season.
Kiffin has gone 25-13 in his three seasons with the Trojans, and it's important to remember the scholarship limitations he's working with due to NCAA violations that occurred long before he arrived at the school.
However, should the problems of 2012 continue into 2013, it will be interesting to see whether or not Haden changes his tune.