While many USC fans are targeting a return to bowl contention in 2012 as a chance to move past the NCAA postseason sanctions of the last two years, others still feel the sting of wrongdoing at the hands of collegiate athletics' governing body.
Athletic director Pat Haden has heard from every side and responded to the criticism in the Orange County Register.
On not suing the NCAA: "We've investigated litigation. We spent a lot of time considering that. People just assume you're sitting on your hands. I'm not an idiot. We're not idiots. We have investigated every opportunity. There is no alternative for us at this point under the bylaws that every university signs up for as a member of the NCAA."
On the inequity of the Ohio State ruling: "There is no due process. Our fan base is upset with what happened at Ohio State, and they're probably going to be upset with what comes down at North Carolina or Miami. We're going to hear it again."
On not continuing the fight: "There comes a point in time when you must move on. Even that phrase I get a lot of push-back on. But I'm just doing what I think is right for USC and our team and our athletic department."
Athletic director Pat Haden has heard from every side and responded to the criticism in the Orange County Register. On not suing the NCAA: "We've investigated litigation. We spent a lot of time considering that. People just assume you're sitting on your hands. I'm not an idiot. We're not idiots. We have investigated every opportunity. There is no alternative for us at this point under the bylaws that every university signs up for as a member of the NCAA."
On the inequity of the Ohio State ruling: "There is no due process. Our fan base is upset with what happened at Ohio State, and they're probably going to be upset with what comes down at North Carolina or Miami. We're going to hear it again."
On not continuing the fight: "There comes a point in time when you must move on. Even that phrase I get a lot of push-back on. But I'm just doing what I think is right for USC and our team and our athletic department."
I think most people know that Pat and Max are not idiots. Having said that, is it too much to ask this USC administration to come out and set the record straight once and for all? How hard would it be to lay out exactly what USC did/did not do, state exactly what parts of the NCAA report are factually incorrect and finally state what USC plans to do to ensure this will never happen again. I think doing something like this will go a long way with the alumni, fans and media in order to shed the "cheater" lable from USC.