Pat Haden
Pat Haden (born January 23, 1953) is an American former professional football quarterback, attorney, broadcaster, and university administrator renowned for leading the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans to two national championships during his college career and for his subsequent role as USC's athletic director from 2010 to 2016.[1][2] Born Patrick Capper Haden in Westbury, New York, he moved to California and starred at Bishop Amat High School in La Puente, where he completed 537 of 850 passes for 82 touchdowns over three years and shared the 1970 CIF 4-A Player of the Year award.[1] At USC from 1972 to 1974, Haden threw for 3,288 yards and 33 touchdowns, ranking 13th in school history for passing yards and 14th for total offense (3,802 yards); he captained the team to national titles in 1972 and 1974 under coach John McKay, appeared in three Rose Bowls, and earned co-MVP honors in the 1975 Rose Bowl with 181 passing yards and two touchdowns in a 18-17 victory over Ohio State.[1][3][4] A two-time Academic All-American with a 3.7 GPA, Haden graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from USC before becoming a Rhodes Scholar, studying economics at Oxford University from 1975 to 1978.[4][3] Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round of the 1975 NFL Draft, he played seven seasons with the team from 1976 to 1981, completing 731 of 1,363 passes for 9,296 yards and 52 touchdowns; he was selected to the 1977 Pro Bowl and helped the Rams win three straight NFC West division titles while competing in two NFC Championship Games.[1] Following his playing career, Haden earned a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School in 1982 and practiced as an attorney at Lillick, McHose & Charles in Los Angeles from 1982 to 1987.[2][1] He then transitioned to broadcasting, serving as a color commentator for college and professional football on CBS (1982–1990), TNT (1990–1997), NBC (1998–2009), Fox (2008), and radio networks including Westwood One.[2] From 1987 to 2010, Haden was a partner and managing director at the private equity firm Riordan, Lewis & Haden, while also serving on USC's Board of Trustees starting in 1991.[2][3] Appointed USC's seventh athletic director on August 3, 2010, Haden oversaw the program's operations during a period of NCAA sanctions and coaching transitions until his resignation on June 30, 2016, amid health concerns and institutional challenges; he also held faculty positions at USC's Marshall School of Business and Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.[2][3] Haden has been inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame (1995), USC Athletic Hall of Fame, National High School Hall of Fame (1995), and CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame (1988).[1][5][6]Early life and education
Early life
Patrick Capper Haden was born on January 23, 1953, in Westbury, New York, to working-class Irish parents. He was the fourth of five children in a family that valued hard work and resilience, with his mother, Helen Haden, instilling principles of treating others fairly and outworking competitors. His father worked as a businessman selling roofing materials, supporting the household through frequent relocations that shaped Haden's adaptability. Raised in a modest environment, Haden contributed to the family finances early on with a newspaper route and a job at a shoe store, experiences that reinforced a strong work ethic amid the challenges of his parents' immigrant heritage. The family moved from New York to Scottsdale, Arizona, when Haden was six, exposing him to new communities and fostering his interest in sports as a way to build connections. Later, they relocated to Northern California before his senior year of high school, where the emphasis on education and athletics in the home encouraged his pursuit of both academics and physical activities. Haden developed an early passion for football during his high school years at Bishop Amat Memorial High School in La Puente, California, where he lived with the family of USC coach John McKay after his parents' move. There, he emerged as the starting quarterback, completing 537 of 850 passes for 82 touchdowns over three years and sharing the 1970 CIF Southern Section 4-A Player of the Year award with J.K. McKay, relying on intelligence, toughness honed by older brothers, and determination to excel on the field despite not being the largest player. This period marked the beginning of his athletic journey, blending family-driven values with competitive drive.Education
Pat Haden attended the University of Southern California (USC) from 1972 to 1975, where he balanced his athletic commitments with rigorous academic pursuits. During this period, he earned Academic All-American honors in 1973 and 1974, recognizing his excellence both on the football field and in the classroom. In 1975, Haden graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor's degree in English from USC. Haden was selected as a Rhodes Scholar in 1975, one of the most prestigious international academic awards, which allowed him to pursue graduate studies at Oxford University. At Oxford, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy, politics, and economics in 1978. This overlapped with the early years of his professional football career, during which he temporarily deferred his studies to focus on the sport before completing his degree. Following his time at Oxford, Haden returned to the United States and obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles in 1982. This legal education laid the foundation for his subsequent career in law and business.Football career
College career
Pat Haden served as quarterback for the University of Southern California's Trojans football team from 1972 to 1974 under legendary coach John McKay, earning three varsity letters during his tenure. Initially a backup to Mike Rae in 1972, Haden saw action in multiple games, including throwing a team-leading seven touchdown passes that season while contributing to USC's national championship campaign and 42-17 Rose Bowl victory over Ohio State. He became the full-time starter for his junior and senior years (1973–1974), captaining the team in 1974 and playing a pivotal role in the Trojans' offensive schemes during an era of run-heavy play under McKay.[4][6][7] In 1973, Haden emerged as a standout, leading the Pacific-8 Conference in passing yards with 1,832 and total offense with 1,988 yards (including 156 rushing), while throwing 13 touchdown passes against 11 interceptions. The Trojans posted a 9-2-1 record, winning the Pac-8 title, before losing 21-42 to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Haden's performance that year showcased his accuracy and decision-making, completing over 55% of his passes in an offense bolstered by future NFL stars like Lynn Swann and Anthony Davis. The following season in 1974, he directed a 10-1-1 campaign (with a tie in the regular season and loss in the Rose Bowl), passing for 988 yards and 11 touchdowns, with his leadership helping secure USC's second national title in three years. A signature moment came in a 55-24 rout of rival Notre Dame on November 30, 1974, where Haden engineered a second-half comeback from a 24-6 halftime deficit, throwing three touchdown passes to spark 49 unanswered points.[4][8][9] Haden capped his college career in the 1975 Rose Bowl, earning co-MVP honors alongside J.K. McKay in a dramatic 18-17 victory over Ohio State. He completed 12 of 22 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns, while adding a crucial two-point conversion pass to J.K. McKay late in the game to secure the win and clinch the national championship. Over his USC career, Haden amassed 3,288 passing yards and 33 touchdowns on 241 completions out of 468 attempts, ranking among the program's historical leaders in efficiency despite the era's emphasis on rushing. He also occasionally handled punting duties in select games, averaging around 35 yards per punt when called upon. His on-field contributions were complemented by academic excellence, earning him first-team Academic All-American selections in 1973 and 1974, as well as second-team All-Pac-8 honors as a senior. In recognition of his impact, Haden was inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame the same year.[6][4][5]Professional career
Pat Haden was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round, 176th overall, of the 1975 NFL Draft out of the University of Southern California.[10] As a late-round pick, he joined a quarterback room that included established veterans, positioning him initially as a developmental prospect behind James Harris and Joe Namath after Namath signed with the Rams in 1977.[10] Haden made his NFL debut in 1976, appearing in limited action during his rookie season, and gradually earned more opportunities as injuries and rotations affected the depth chart.[10] Over six seasons from 1976 to 1981, Haden appeared in 65 games for the Rams, starting 55 of them while serving primarily as a backup and occasional starter to Namath in 1977 and Vince Ferragamo from 1978 onward.[10] His most notable full season came in 1978, when he started all 16 games, throwing for 2,995 yards and 13 touchdowns en route to a 12-4 record and an NFC Championship Game appearance. He was selected to the Pro Bowl following his 1977 performance (1,551 yards, 11 TDs in 10 games).[10] In 1979, despite starting only 10 games due to a midseason finger injury, Haden passed for 1,854 yards and 11 touchdowns, contributing to the Rams' 9-7 finish and a 21-19 divisional playoff win over the Dallas Cowboys.[10] In the 1978 playoffs, Haden started the divisional round victory over the Minnesota Vikings (34-10) and the NFC Championship loss to the Dallas Cowboys (0-28). Injuries plagued his later years, including a broken finger in 1979 and knee issues that limited him to three starts in 1980 (Rams lost wild card 13-34 to Cowboys), though he started 10 games in 1981 (1,815 yards, 9 TDs) before undergoing knee surgery during the offseason.[10][11] Contemplating his future amid ongoing health concerns, Haden retired from professional football in 1982 at age 29, having compiled 9,296 passing yards, 52 touchdowns, and a 69.6 passer rating over his career.[10][11] Following his retirement, Haden transitioned directly into broadcasting, accepting a position as a color analyst for CBS Sports, where he began covering NFL games in the 1982 season.[11]NFL career statistics
Regular season
Passing Statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Starts | Completions | Attempts | Yards | TDs | INTs | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | LAR | 10 | 7 | 60 | 105 | 896 | 8 | 4 | 94.0 |
| 1977 | LAR | 10 | 4 | 122 | 216 | 1,551 | 11 | 6 | 88.0 |
| 1978 | LAR | 16 | 16 | 229 | 444 | 2,995 | 13 | 19 | 65.5 |
| 1979 | LAR | 11 | 10 | 163 | 290 | 1,854 | 11 | 14 | 68.6 |
| 1980 | LAR | 4 | 3 | 19 | 41 | 185 | 0 | 4 | 19.9 |
| 1981 | LAR | 14 | 10 | 138 | 267 | 1,815 | 9 | 13 | 70.1 |
| Career | 65 | 55 | 731 | 1,363 | 9,296 | 52 | 60 | 69.6 |
Rushing Statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Attempts | Yards | Avg | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | LAR | 10 | 17 | 39 | 2.3 | 0 |
| 1977 | LAR | 10 | 20 | 47 | 2.4 | 0 |
| 1978 | LAR | 16 | 39 | 104 | 2.7 | 2 |
| 1979 | LAR | 11 | 25 | 58 | 2.3 | 0 |
| 1980 | LAR | 4 | 5 | 12 | 2.4 | 0 |
| 1981 | LAR | 14 | 28 | 65 | 2.3 | 0 |
| Career | 65 | 134 | 325 | 2.4 | 2 |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | Games | Starts | Completions | Attempts | Yards | TDs | INTs | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | LAR | 2 | 1 | 19 | 56 | 227 | 1 | 4 | 29.5 |
| 1977 | LAR | 1 | 1 | 14 | 32 | 140 | 1 | 2 | 43.8 |
| 1978 | LAR | 2 | 2 | 20 | 45 | 155 | 1 | 3 | 45.7 |
| Career | 5 | 4 | 53 | 133 | 522 | 3 | 9 | 39.3 |
NFL career statistics
Regular season
Pat Haden appeared in 65 regular-season games over seven NFL seasons from 1976 to 1981, all with the Los Angeles Rams, starting 55 of them.[10]Passing Statistics
| Year | Team | Games (GS) | Completions/Attempts | Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | RAM | 10 (7) | 60/105 | 896 | 8 | 4 | 94.8 |
| 1977 | RAM | 12 (10) | 122/216 | 1,551 | 11 | 6 | 84.5 |
| 1978 | RAM | 16 (16) | 229/444 | 2,995 | 13 | 19 | 65.1 |
| 1979 | RAM | 10 (10) | 163/290 | 1,854 | 11 | 14 | 68.1 |
| 1980 | RAM | 4 (1) | 19/41 | 185 | 0 | 4 | 19.9 |
| 1981 | RAM | 13 (11) | 138/267 | 1,815 | 9 | 13 | 64.4 |
| Career | 65 (55) | 731/1,363 | 9,296 | 52 | 60 | 69.6 |
Rushing Statistics
| Year | Team | Carries | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | RAM | 25 | 84 | 4 |
| 1977 | RAM | 29 | 106 | 2 |
| 1978 | RAM | 33 | 206 | 0 |
| 1979 | RAM | 16 | 97 | 0 |
| 1980 | RAM | 3 | 12 | 0 |
| 1981 | RAM | 18 | 104 | 0 |
| Career | 124 | 609 | 6 |
Playoffs
Haden appeared in five NFL playoff games during his career with the Los Angeles Rams, all as the starting quarterback.[12] His postseason performances are detailed in the following table, focusing on passing statistics:| Date | Round | Opponent | Result | Cmp/Att | Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976-12-19 | Divisional Round | @ DAL | W 14-12 | 10/21 | 152 | 0 | 3 | 32.3 |
| 1976-12-26 | NFC Championship | @ MIN | L 13-24 | 9/22 | 161 | 1 | 2 | 43.9 |
| 1977-12-26 | Divisional Round | vs MIN | L 7-14 | 14/32 | 130 | 1 | 3 | 26.8 |
| 1978-12-31 | Divisional Round | vs MIN | W 34-10 | 15/29 | 209 | 2 | 1 | 83.8 |
| 1979-01-07 | Divisional Round | vs DAL | L 0-28 | 7/19 | 76 | 0 | 3 | 9.9 |