Here’s A Quick Steve Sarkisian-Lane Kiffin Comparison

SARK.KIFFINAfter 18 games at USC, Lane Kiffin was 12-6. After 18 games, Steve Sarkisian is 12-6. This seems to undermine any thought Pat Haden’s hire has the program in better condition today than it was four years ago . . . while on probation.

Yes, there are the top-ranked recruiting classes. Kiffin had them too. And I’m getting tired of this talking point. How great were Washington’s classes under Chris Petersen? No. 36 in 2014 and No. 30 in 2015. But he had the Huskies ready to play Thursday night.

71 thoughts on “Here’s A Quick Steve Sarkisian-Lane Kiffin Comparison

  1. The issue here is Pat Haden – regardless of his legacy with USC this is his 100%.

    Consider – there was a major red flag last year at the Stanford game when suddenly when a call was going the wrong way and the head coach was arguing about the bad call out of the blue the head coach’s boss arrives – Pat Haden. Why? Was it because Haden ‘new’ Sarkisian was lacking in game mgmt.? – Yes

    It does not seem credible that Sarkisian was never Haden’s first choice for head coach – he was from the moment Haden began to doubt Kiffin. Sarkisian was the safe choice emerging from the NCAA sanctions – he would be totally controllable by Haden.

    Now there is this mess – it’s all on Haden – time to begin a credible search for a new head coach Pat Haden or time for you to leave or both.

    • I agree that Sark was an early favorite of Haden’s. I know for a fact that’s true.

      But why do you think Haden wanted to control him? Really? Don’t you want to hire a coach that can do the job, instead of control him? You think Haden wanted even more responsibility for himself? Haden played for McKay. Nobody told McKay what to do. So you’re saying Haden wouldn’t have hired McKay because he couldn’t control him?

      Do you know Pat? I do. He’s not controlling and is very capable of delegating. Makes decisions based on what he thinks, not others.

      Why anyone thinks Haden wants to have a weak HC who’s under his thumb is beyond me. Haden’s closest friends don’t feel Haden ever wanted a controllable coach under his thumb either. What do you think Haden wanted to make SC’s HC do?

      • Haden’s a good guy – no argument but yes I do believe he wanted someone who he ‘knew’ wouldn’t mess up the out of jail NCAA issue i.e. Sarkisian.

        Secondly Haden was well aware of McKay living with him – he knew what a head coach looked and acted like – not saying there are any McKay’s out there but where does knowing McKay equate into hiring Sarkisian?

        • Obviously, Haden was coached by and lived with USC’s most successful coach, a man who did what he wanted, and was not controlled by others. Nobody told McKay what to do – ever. So you’re saying Haden wouldn’t want McKay because he couldn’t control him? I call BS. Haden didn’t decide against Petersen because he couldn’t control him. He didn’t hire him because Petersen didn’t think he’d really fit in with L.A. and all the extra demands (like dealing with Wolfie).

          If anything, Haden wishes Sark was a lot stronger in many ways. So much for your control theory. Haden never wanted to control Sark. He’s got enough things to worry about as it is.

          If all you really mean is he wanted to hire a guy who wouldn’t mess up with the NCAA, then fine. He just wasn’t looking for a cheater, like every AD, who wants to keep his job.

          • Look pal we’re all in this boat because of this choice.

            You have your own point of view as do all of us – thanks for being the point man for all of us here re. what and how Pat Haden thinks.

            This is another additional two years of wandering – bad pick by Haden that’s all there is to it.

          • Get off your high horse bozo. You know nothing about Haden. And I’m not your pal.

            You said Haden hired Sark because he could “totally control” him. Stupid talk from a guy on the outside like you. Then you backed down and said you only meant about NCAA stuff. Weak.

            Nobodies arguing Sark was a bad hire. Haden knows it and he has for awhile. Duh.

          • Look in the mirror pal – you’re the control officer of this board. When you take issue with another poster here you continually unload hard.

            Yes it is a bad choice and yes Haden chose him – as stated another 2 years of this.

          • Here you go well ok have the last word and whatever BTW you’re own high horse ‘knowing Haden’ and…..

          • Ya I do know Pat. Sorry pal. I also know you don’t know what you’re talking about. Just another board idiot spouting off about the so-called real reason Pat hired Sark when you’re totally in the dark.

          • Sticks and stones can break my bones but your words I want to carress – now go call Pat and be sure to give us the unabridged version when you return ‘control guy’

          • It’s always a pleasure taking on idiots like you. Somebodies gotta do it. Now run along before you say something stupid again.

          • some say that’s Jackie Boy in his “Santa Monica Blvd” outfit.

            others say it’s a one legged prostitute he met in Paris who dumped him.

            still others say it’s…..no i can’t…. never mind. forget it.

            #SecretsAndIssues

          • The MODERATOR(s) have given up on SoSo CAL……and are now siding with the UCLA BRUINS……RAH RAH posts now get deleted by the dozens…..
            f/o

          • This entire thread is sooooo silly……two big headed rah rah’s going toe to toe….it kinda reminds me of seeing ‘black’ young men taunting each other by calling each other the ‘N’ word……

            f/o

          • Go ahead and defend your statement that Haden wanted somebody he could “totally control.” You can’t because it’s stupid. You don’t like it, too bad. I couldn’t care less.

          • I agree that Alvarado is off on this one.
            Haden has been too hands off, given the coaches involved, who are both limited in major ways.

            But his analyses and judgment have been poor–and that surprises me

            Haden should replace himself. Aside from making friends within the NCAA, and some success in minor sports, he has whiffed on the big decisions.

            Accept and get on with act III of life. He can still be a Trustee, fundraiser, etc., give seminars, enjoy being around the university (He’s intellectual; why wouldn’t he enjoy it?)

            But he’s not cutting it, and he’s 65. Too late for a learning curve that will pay off.

      • That’s not a crazy statement. If Kiffin never had Monty as his DC things would’ve been better.

        • Yeah something the DAL Cowboys realized too late – problem for the entire school is the magical run 2001-2005 – those four years when everything worked save the Jan. 2006 game – all were deemed to be geniuses only to go elsewhere and find out they were only human.

          • Kiffin at least put points on the board. But our defense was Horrible. I think deep down Lane and Monty know that a different Defensive Coordinator from the beginning would’ve sent USC and Lane on a more successful path.

          • Lane owes his entire career to his dad and whose kidding who how easy is it for anyone to discharge your parent?

            Let’s hope Haden does more with a search committee this time around.

          • I totally understand. Dad paved the way, and who would actually fire and not hire dad. Monty’s style couldn’t defend against spread offenses and his Tampa 2 wasn’t suited for younger kids.

          • Yeah but the problem is that too few college qb’s know nothing but the spread offense and when they get to the NFL have a learning curve ahead of them

          • Almost, but not the same.Kiffin had two inexperienced Quarterbacks in Wittek and Kessler and Kessler couldn’t move the ball. They might as well of been true freshman.

          • Yet every time someone pointed out ‘PAPPY’S’ short comings, you banana’s would ALWAYS bring up the fact PAPPY had a SUPERBOWL RING, insinuating he couldn’t be wrong……..Like the ring was kinda like SUPERMAN’S CAPE…..and that’s why they call em’ RAH RAH’S
            f/o

  2. So what can be done? Maybe hold players only meetings and reteach fundamental football. Put Sark on the sidelines thinking he’s the coach but actually have real coaches calling the shots so when we win Sark looks like pro material and he gets hired by the new L. A. Pro team.
    Nah sounds like the plot for a bad Disney movie.

    • “There’s nothing in the rule book that says a golden retriever can’t coach football!”

  3. Anyone here think USC is in the same situation with Coach O? Haden had his mind made up the minute Kiffin was let go that Sark was his man. I know that Coach O was not the ideal HC, but there is no way in hell USC is in this state with him in charge. I’m not talking just about wins and losses. I’m talking about effort and commitment. As a team there is none of that with Sark.

    • Agreed – Sarkisin was Haden’s man right after Kiffin got dropped kicked – you wouldn’t hear of a player telling a Head Coach to ‘clam down’ – this ship has sailed – Sarkisian had better get ready for a reality check.

    • Remember when UCLA pulled SC’s collective colon out through their nose under Coach O? Fit UN!

      • I also remember David Shaw doing the same thing to Mora last year when UCLA had everything on the line. And it will probably happen again on Thursday night. Just make sure you email little Jimmy with a new list of excuses to use for the post game presser.

    • If Sark was the best alternative to Ed (and Sark probably was not), Haden should have given Ed O a 2nd year, and kept looking. Had Ed O implemented a really good plan, Haden could have stopped looking. If not, he would have bought time.

  4. Anti-Sark rants are unnecessary and without merit – did he tell Kessler to throw it directly at the defense? Or how about when Kessler threw the ball into a crowd of wash players while he had three players wide open on the other side of the field.. Sark tell him to do that? What about Juju’s fumble, did Sark say – “hey Juju, drop the ball, give my old players a chance and put me on the hot seat” Did he tell our AllPac12 center lineman to tear his ACL in the first freaking quarter???

    I DOUBT IT

    People riding Sark have to chill out, you are wasting negative energy which could be better directed towards something that has merit – he’s a young coach, with young players, it’s way too early to tell what his legacy will be until he gets at least 5 yrs

    • Totally agree with your post. Have to realize that SC alums, myself included, are really unhappy with how we played on Thursday. Sark had 11 days to prepare for UW and they came out flat. Performance was unacceptable. Things need to change in a hurry.

    • Sark was outcoached. Helton called a bad game. BUT….I agree. Kessler threw the ball right at the Washington defenders and probably could’ve had 4 INTs. And JUJUs fumble was HUGE!

    • ….he needs more time? The guy is El Camino steve…thats who he is….and what he will always be. Bush (DUBYA was a dummy from the beginning….and his was still a dummy EIGHT YEARS LATER………Do you keep driving when you have a flat tire or do you CHANGE IT…….Bring in YOGI ROTH…..he’s a winner!

    • Just read his bio…mensa member. If things work out the way I think they’re going to, he may be a legit candidate.

  5. Pat Haden had a meeting with Sark and all the coaches Friday about the behavior on the sidelines. Their was an emphasis on Sark yelling at Isaiah Langley after Langley received a personal foul. Sark ripped him after the play. I have to agree with Sark that play was another bad penalty by another Trojan player and Sark has the right as a coach to discipline (yell) him publicly during a game. The fact that Haden is butting in and adresssing this with a meeting is a huge red flag for Sark, his Staff, the state of the program and even Pat Haden. Pat hired him to coach, he can’t butt in now. It’s embarrassing.

    • yelling at a kid after the fact isn’t coaching. teaching him discipline before the game is.

      • Yeah then again throwing Jack under the bus with a revised script after a face-to-face is what Mora is skilled at – that and whining and crying like the baby he’s become.

        • You’d give your left nuttt to have him as your head coach….he has yet to call GUERERRO during a game and ask him to come down to the field on his behalf….’MOMMY….those boys are bullying me’……not surprised since your MALE mascot wears a skirt and sandals.

          • And you’d give your right and left nuttts to have Pete Carroll instead of Mora.

    • But keep in mind, Steve Sarkisian seeks the advice of Pat Haden like some little immature child. Remember last season when Sarkisian called Haden out of the stands to help him dispute a call against Stanford? So when you act like a child, you will be treated like a child, and im sure that’s why Haden feels like it’s ok to butt in. That’s the environment Sarkisian created himself, do you think Haden would do those things if Nick Saben , Jim Harbaugh’s, and Urban Meyer was his coach? I think Not!

    • sas,

      May I assume that you were not at the meeting?

      You have stated that Haden called a meeting for which the emphasis, i.e., main purpose (?), was to scold Sark in front of his staff for yelling at Langley on national TV.

      While I think that Haden should resign, I very much doubt that the main purpose of the meeting was as you assert.

      Do you agree that there were plenty of topics that an AD might want to discuss after Thursday night?

      • You’re missing the point. Haden is frustrated with Sark. Did I ever say scold? No. This was a way for Haden to assert his dominance over Sark for not getting the job done. Clearly Haden is not happy with Sark. What topics would Haden have??? They were all on their way out to recruit and Haden held them up for this. The relationship is going sour. I have a friend from HS on the staff (not a coach). You don’t have to believe me. That’s all I have to say.

  6. Agreed on Sark being the choice of Haden all along when Kiffin was fired was out playing golf with So Cal alums and as we talked about the vacancy they said the decision had already been made and it was Sark . That was in October . Looking at Sarks recruiting at UW that year before Pete came in UW was way behind in signing people like Sark must have known he was leaving. Despite denying he was leaving the morning of the day he left on a Seattle Radio station.

  7. I think one reason Petersen had little interest in USC was Hadens involvement in the football decisions. Dont think Petersen has that issue at UW

  8. When a lesser talented team beats an opponent with superior athletes, especially on both sides of the ball, you know it was the coaching that resulted in the outcome. I wish someone would pound that into Pat Haden’s head.

    • That is the effort here but as with all those in high power (Haden) individuals admitting one’s mistakes is rare amongst the powerful.

      If that meeting took place as stated with the coaching staff the question is why?

  9. Just what we need, a comparison to Kiffen. If anyone has watched Trojan football they have already made the comparison. Both suck.

  10. Kiffin had full teams – he chose to postpone the scholarship reductions, so Sark is at a personnel disadvantage there – not to defend Sark here. Just have to keep the facts in mind when you go on one of your whine-rants.

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