USC’s Pat Haden reacts to NCAA reduction of Penn State penalties

USC Athletic Director Pat Haden reacted with the following statement to news the NCAA has reduced scholarship penalties on the Penn State football program stemming from the Jerry Sandusky child abuse scandal.

“Like the rest of country, we have just learned of the NCAA’s actions regarding the restoration of some of Penn State’s scholarships,” Haden said in a blog posted Tuesday afternoon on the USC athletic program’s website.

“As you know, the NCAA is currently engaged in the process of evaluating and potentially reforming its governance structure. We look forward to having a positive impact on that process.

“We also are hopeful that the NCAA’s recently enacted enforcement and penalty reforms will result in a consistent and fair enforcement and penalty process for all its institutions. USC will continue to work cooperatively with the NCAA towards that goal.

“We are near the end of the NCAA sanctions imposed on us in 2010 and we look forward to their expiration.”

USC football Coach Lane Kiffin said he is happy for Penn State.

“I think that’s awesome,” he said at his weekly Pac-12 teleconference. “Knowing what it’s like to go through and trying to manage those numbers and plan down the road as we have, now for Bill [Penn State football Coach Bill O’Brien] not to have to do that as much is great for him.”

Kiffin also said that he has “always” thought that USC deserved a reduction in its NCAA-imposed penalties too.

Kiffin’s comments can be read here.

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