Haden on Ed Orgeron and his staff...
Ed has put a lot of juice into the team and the coaching staff. I give the coaching staff a lot of credit. This is not an easy thing for them to do not knowing their future, and I understand that. They are working their tails off. There is a renewed sense of commitment, and the players have really rallied around them. Ed Orgeron brings such enthusiasm to the locker room. The vibe, the music, the energy before and after games is unlike anything I have ever seen. This is college football. It should be fun.Haden on the perseverance of these Trojans...
These kids are so big that we forget how young they are sometimes. When you look at what they have been through from the sanctions to the head coaching change, they are remarkably strong and resilient. They are great Trojans. I am really proud to know them. Dion Bailey, last weekend, what a story. In street clothes in the first half, and then a call to action, and he rallies. Incredible.
Haden on the expectations for USC men's basketball...
With basketball, we want to build a program, not just a season. Andy Enfield has really got something going here. He has captivated this team. This is something of a transition year, but we are looking to build something that is going to last. His message is resonating in recruiting. We have some exciting young players on this year's team, especially Julian Jacobs. Plus, we have two talented transfers in Katin Reinhardt and Darion Clark who can play next year. They will be joined by what we think is going to be a big time recruiting class.
Haden on the expectations for USC women's basketball...The women's team should be a lot more fun to watch as well with Cynthia Cooper installing her coaching philosophy. Cassie Harberts, who is entering her senior season, has had a fantastic career here. She is one of the better post players in the country. I am looking forward to a big year from her surrounded by some young, emerging players on the perimeter.Â
Haden on the six-tournament winning streak by the USC women's golf team...
It is staggering what Andrea Gaston has been able to do. It is unheard of to win six consecutive tournaments in NCAA golf. Winning the national championship by 21 strokes, when the prior largest margin of victory in the NCAA Tournament was 6, was truly spectacular. Everyone is back from last year's team, and they have picked up right where they left off. They are in dominant form. They are also a great group of women. Despite an arduous travel schedule, they had our highest team GPA last year.Â
