Pat Haden to retire as USC athletic director

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- USC announced on Friday that Pat Haden will retire as the university's athletic director, effective June 30.

Haden has had some recent health problems. Last October, he had to be tended to on the sidelines during a game at Notre Dame. Shortly after that, Haden stepped down from his position in the College Football Playoff committee.

University president C. L. Max Nikias said in a statement that Haden agreed to a one-year term to guide USC's renovation of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

"Beginning July 1, 2016, and ending June 30, 2017, he will maintain an office in the Bovard Administration Building, working closely with me and reporting directly to me as he heads a fundraising initiative focused on renewing the nation's most venerable stadium and the home of Trojan football," Nikias said.

Haden has run the athletic department for 5 1/2 years, leading the Trojans through a multiyear stretch of NCAA sanctions against its vaunted football program. He created a large NCAA compliance program and improved graduation rates and grade point averages across the athletic department.

The former USC quarterback also received criticism for the football program's relative underachievement and for his handling of coach Steve Sarkisian, who has sued the school over his termination last year.

Haden said Sarkisian was fired for failing to meet the school's standards and expectations, dismissing media reports that said Sarkisian's alcohol consumption habits were well known.

Clay Helton was hired as USC's permanent head football coach last November.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.