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Shouldn't USC president Steven Sample be under criticism right now for not making a move with athletic director Mike Garrett and allowing the situation to linger? But it was never in Sample's makeup to do much with Garrett. And that might help explain why USC is in its current position.
Go ahead and criticize Sample for not confronting Garrett, but keep in mind that athletics is just a small part of a university, and athletics really wasn't Sample's main concern was it? No, his main concern was elevating the University of Southern California's academic reputation. USC is currently on par academically with any of the country's top national research university. It will never be Harvard or Cal Tech, but a degree from USC carries more weight at the end of Sample's tenure than it did at the beginning. Now, about that statue...
I guess it was kind of hard to fire the AD of a "rogue" athletic department at well-respected and hard-to get into University whose football team graduated 82% of its athletes. Oops. Sorry. The writing was on the wall -- an 82% graduation rate, 23 national championships, and a basketball stadium that nobody else could get built. He sure never did his job, did he? And I'm not even a fan of the guy.
My how spoiled we really are around here. We want our cake (win win win) and eat it too (don't accuse us of anything or we will cry, pout, accuse). Steven Sample is a loyal man who saw enough strengths in Mike Garret to back him. If you choose a person for a leadership position and start micro-managing him, then you are insecure with your choice. What does that say?
Mike Garrett did a lot for his school and he never gave up in trying. You will not find an AD who tried harder to succeed. I'm sorry to see him go. We may never see the success in the SC athletic program like this one ever again. Steven Sample picked the right man. If there is an area to criticize, its the area of the head coach who got sloppy & ignorant during an incredible number of years in success.
Careful one & dt, the racists on this board will try to stick you. Both of you are 100% RIGHT.
Agreed... while not a big fan of his, he did accomplish a lot during his tenure. My major complaint about him is his abrasive attitude and over the top ego that doesn't represent the university well. That and the obvious allegations....