Ben Bolch of the L.A. TIMES reports on reaction from USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett to recently enacted NCAA sanctions now saddling the Trojans football program. Speaking to alumni in San Francisco last night, Garrett said of the penalties:
“As I read the decision by the NCAA … I read between the lines and there was nothing but a lot of envy. They wish they all were Trojans.”
Diamond Leung of ESPN.com describes exchanges with Garrett last night as Leung attempted to get a comment from the USC AD:
Wearing a striped cardinal-and-gold-colored tie — and a smile — Garrett had this to say when I approached him before the start of the event: “No comment. Don’t bother me. The world is great.”
While walking away with associates, he said, “Don’t talk to that guy. He’s the press.”
Later, when asked why he had not spoken publicly about the NCAA report or even issued a video statement, Garrett acted like he did not hear the question. He patted me on the chest and said, “God bless you.”
When a newspaper reporter asked if he were worried about his job,” Garrett patted that writer on the chest as well and said, “I’m just worried about your job.”
How did USC alumni react to Garrett’s comments about the penalties? From Leung:
The crowd gave Garrett a standing ovation and also applauded and cheered when he mentioned the school would appeal the NCAA ruling.
“We’re fighters,” Garrett said. “As I told my staff, I said, ‘You know, I feel invigorated by all this stuff.’”
For those who now think that all USC administrative offices are outfitted with padded rooms, Garrett will be gone at the end of the summer.
As I noted in January, the school will use the retirement of USC President Steven Sample in August as cover to nudge Garrett out the door. A USC administration source reiterated that plan to me this morning, indicating that a retirement announcement from Garrett will likely be made when Sample departs - or shortly thereafter.
After last night, that can’t come soon enough for USC-affiliated folks.
11:20 am on June 11th, 2010
The phrase “we’re fighters” is really only meaningful when you are fighting for something just. As in, say,… fighting corruption in your athletic department. When it refers to infractions when you’ve been caught cheating, what it really means is you can’t man-up and take the punishment. Be a man Garrett,…
11:48 am on June 11th, 2010
bring in that man in from the heat! he’s as crazy as a shithouse rat!
when you are overseeing the athletic dept. of a major university, you’ve got to know what the hell is going on! seriously, the whispers and inneundos about some of these wrong doings were taking place during your reign as AD. you need to man-up and accept the responsibilty that it happened under your watch and pledge to never let it happen again.
Nothing to See Here, Move Along……………….
12:07 pm on June 11th, 2010
Actually the best thing for USC which would come out of these penalties is Garrett retiring. He had been incompetent his entire career since he quit playing football.
12:33 pm on June 11th, 2010
Mike Garrett is the best thing for USC it allows others to do their jobs without the AD getting in the way, he’s a USC pawn thats manipulated by more powerful people in lesser positions.
9:52 pm on June 11th, 2010
Apparently most of you graduated from USC since you are not intelligent enought to determine that every school cheats. Remember John Wooden, a great legend, turned a blind eye to his “kids” cheating also. The schools make gazillions of dollars off these kids and so does the NCAA. Then they expect the kids to follow arcane rules; bullshit!!!!!!!!!
6:49 am on June 12th, 2010
USC should can every coach and employee who had any participation in cheating. That includes Coack Kiffin and Orgeron and anyone else that was there when this went on. I think that would go along way in shedding their rogue school image
7:03 am on June 13th, 2010
what about the baseball program???? what a mess….
12:57 am on June 16th, 2010
USC has to do the right think and Sack Mike Garrett. He’s clearly delusional. The buck stops at the AD. He is directly responsible for why their is a lack of institutional control.