USC Names New Athletic Director, Will Return Reggie Bush Heisman Trophy

Just a couple of hours ago, USC announced that it will replace athletic director Mike Garrett with fellow alumnus Pat Haden.

Haden, a former Trojans quarterback, is best known for his performance in his last college game, the 1975 Rose Bowl, where he was named co-MVP.

The change will be made official on August 3rd.

Garrett has had his back up against a wall since the NCAA announced sanctions, mainly in regards to benefits given to alumni Reggie Bush and O.J Mayo.

Just to recap, the sanctions include a two-years postseason ban, loss of football scholarships, and vacating wins from the 2004-05 season, a national championship year in football.

Speculation indicates that USC could still lose its 2004 BCS title, as well as the possibility that Bush may still have to vacate his copy of the 2005 Heisman Trophy.

Bush is coming off a Super Bowl victory with the New Orleans Saints, while Mayo just finished his second season with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Although the report of Mayo receiving improper benefits aired on the popular ESPN show Outside the Lines over two years ago, it has had little to no impact on his career.

Mayo lost his NCAA 2007-2008 eligibility due to this, but essentially avoided any punishment by declaring his eligibility for the NBA Draft.

As most fans realize, the guy with the most to lose in this situation is Reggie Bush.

He was already in a pretty bad spot prior to this announcement, but things have clearly went from bad to worse for the high profile running back.

USC president-elect Max Nikias, who will also take office August 3rd, has stated that he will remove all displays honoring Bush or Mayo within the confines of the Galen Center, Heritage Hall, and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

In an official statement, Nikias was crystal clear with his reasoning.

"The Trojan Family honors and respects the USC sporting careers of those persons whose actions did not compromise their athletic program or the opportunities of future USC student-athletes," Nikias said.

Wow, sounds like Reggie Bush’s most horrific nightmare is coming true.

Bush is a household name now; so many fans are sitting on the edge of their seats at home, waiting for a statement from the Saints running back.

Up to this point, Bush has vehemently denied receiving any improper benefits from USC.

However, with this latest story, it is basically a given conclusion that Bush has been covering up the truth for some time.

He should absolutely admit that he was wrong, and that he is sorry for the mistakes he made as a young college kid.

Sports fans are forgiving.

Ask Alex Rodriguez.

Ask Shane Mosely.

Ask Shawne Merriman.

There are tons of other examples.

A sincere admission of guilt is far better than sly attempts to cover up the past, really in any facet of life, but especially for professional athletes who are expected to be role models.

Reggie Bush already had a live chat scheduled for 4 p.m. PST tomorrow.

While he intended to focus mainly on the Saints' recent championship, his offseason training, and his recent trip to South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, after the events of today, he knows the cat is out of the bag.

He should do the right thing and come clean.

The fans will forgive him eventually, which should be all the convincing he needs.