USC athletic director Pat Haden took full responsibilityTuesday for both hiring and firing football coach Steve Sarkisian.Although Haden, speaking at a news conference () in Los Angeles,described the situation as "very difficult," he defended firing Sarkisian, who reportedly checked into an outpatientrehabilitation facility on the same day he was dismi sed.Haden said Sarkisian knew the expectations for his behavior "and failed to meet them."MORE: | | Despite that characterization, Haden said of hiring Sarkisian in 2014,"The decision I made didn' JJ Molson Jersey t work out, and I own that. I own it."An unidentifiedschool source that Haden had instituted what was, in effect, a zero-tolerance policy regarding alcohol use after at USC's "Salute to Troy" event in August.Haden declined to go into specifics about Sarkisian's contract, but, citing an unidentified source,ESPN noted that"an employee can't be fired for being sick or having a sickne s but the guidelines Haden set up for Sarkisian made it clear that a similar incident could not happen again, thus making Sarkisian's behavior a fireable offense."The tipping point came Sunday whenSarkisian showed up to team meetings that morningseemingly intoxicated, a violation of his agreement with Haden.USC, which initially Rashan Gary Jersey placed Sarkisian on indefinite suspension,announced his firing later in the day, although Haden said Tuesday that he wasunable to speak with Sarkisian to inform him of his termination and still hasn't spoken to the coach."I also reached out to his agent many times," Haden said. "I also reached out to several family members I really do look forward to talking to Steve at some point."In the wake of that chronicled Sarkisian's alcohol use at his previous coaching job at Washington,Haden has been criticized for his vetting of Sarkisian as a coaching candidate not to mention how he handled the situation Amari Rodgers Jersey in August thatSarkisian attributed to a reaction between medication he was taking and alcohol.Haden on Tuesdaydefended hisdecision to hire Sarkisian, citing background checks by a variety of entities, including USC and the NCAA, as well as discu sions Haden had with head coaches, staff members and longtime friends of Sarkisian."Have we gotten everything right?" Haden said. "Clearly not. This happens. And I said I own it."The decision not to fire Sarkisian in August, Haden said, came with input from medical profe sionals and consideration of the football team's "interests" heading into a season in Paul Hornung Jersey which the Trojans (3-2) were considered a national-championship contender. And while settling Sarkisian's contract could have been a factor, Haden looked at it more as a hand up for someone who needed help."I felt a great deal of compa Aaron Jones T Shirts sion for Steve Sarkisian," Haden said. "He deserved another chance. And that's what I gave him."Shortly before Haden's news conference,USC president C. L. MaxNikias released a statement () in which he called Haden"a man of true character and integrity" and expre sed support for him."Pat Haden has been doing an outstanding job in leading Trojan athletics in the past five years and I want to take this opportunity to reiterate my unwavering support for him," Nikias said in the statement. "I look forward to working with Pat Haden as our USC AD for many years to come."Watch highlights from Haden's news conference here: