Pat Haden

Pat Haden
Name	Pat Haden
Birth date	9 March 1953
Birth place	Mansfield, Ohio
Occupation	athlete, sports broadcaster, university administrator, lawyer
Years active	1970s–present
Alma mater	University of Southern California, Loyola Law School

Pat Haden (born March 9, 1953) is an American former quarterback who played college football at the University of Southern California and in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams, later becoming a sports broadcaster, lawyer, businessman, and athletic director. He earned acclaim for leadership on the field with the USC Trojans and for roles with media organizations including ABC Sports and CBS Sports, before serving as athletic director at USC and working in legal and corporate positions in Los Angeles.

Early life and education

Haden was born in Mansfield, Ohio and raised in Santa Barbara, California where he attended Santa Barbara High School, competing in football and baseball (ball) at the scholastic level. He matriculated at the University of Southern California, joining the USC Trojans football program; his collegiate tenure overlapped with prominent figures such as John McKay and teammates who later figured in National Football League rosters. After his playing career Haden earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, training in legal practice in California courts and developing connections to firms and corporate boards in Southern California.

College football career

At USC Haden succeeded starting positions at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and led the Trojans during seasons that featured matchups against rivals like University of Notre Dame and University of California, Los Angeles in the Pacific-8 Conference. He played under coach John Robinson and participated in bowl games including the Rose Bowl and encounters with programs such as Ohio State University and University of Alabama-style powerhouses. Haden was part of a lineage of USC quarterbacks that includes Carson Palmer and predecessors connected to the program’s national championships and All-America traditions. His performance attracted attention from NFL scouts and sports media covering collegiate athletics, and he graduated amid USC’s ongoing prominence in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision landscape.

Professional football career

Selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League Draft, Haden served multiple seasons as a backup and spot starter behind established signal-callers in the Rams’ roster, playing home games at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and later within the NFC West competitive structure that included franchises like the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints. He faced opponents such as the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers in regular season play and brought collegiate poise to professional schemes orchestrated by coaches in the Rams organization. Haden’s NFL tenure was notable for resilience through injuries and competition for starting roles during an era that included athletes like Joe Namath-era predecessors and contemporaries who shaped quarterback play in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Broadcasting and media career

After retiring from professional football Haden transitioned into broadcasting with stints at ABC Sports and CBS Sports, where he provided color commentary, studio analysis, and sideline reporting for college and professional football telecasts. He worked alongside prominent broadcasters such as Al Michaels, Terry Bradshaw, and analysts covering events including the College Football Playoff precursor bowl games and NCAA matchups. Haden also appeared on regional sports networks in Los Angeles and served as a media presence for USC athletics, contributing to public discourse about conferences like the Pac-12 Conference and media rights negotiations involving entities such as ESPN and Fox Sports.

University of Southern California administration

Haden returned to USC as an administrator, ultimately serving as athletic director where he oversaw programs across venues including the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and initiatives affecting teams in the Pac-12 Conference. His tenure involved interactions with university leadership including presidents and trustees, negotiations with coaches in sports such as basketball and football, and involvement in high-profile compliance and governance matters tied to the National Collegiate Athletic Association and conference realignment issues that connected USC to institutions like University of California, Los Angeles and Stanford University. Haden managed fundraising, facilities projects, and contract agreements, and his leadership was discussed in the context of college athletics’ commercial and regulatory environments.

Business and legal career

An attorney by training, Haden practiced law and held corporate roles in Los Angeles area businesses and boards, leveraging his JD from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles and experience in sports law, media contracts, and governance. He served in executive and advisory positions that interfaced with entities such as sports agencies, broadcasting firms, and athletic foundations, engaging with investors and corporate counsel from firms headquartered in regions including Silicon Valley and Beverly Hills. Haden’s legal background informed contract negotiations and compliance strategies during his administrative and business engagements.

Personal life and legacy

Haden’s family and personal connections tie him to the Southern California community, alumni networks at USC, and philanthropic efforts supporting collegiate athletics and regional causes. His legacy includes contributions as a player in the history of the USC Trojans, influence on media coverage of American football, and stewardship during a transformative period for university athletics amid debates involving the NCAA and television rights. Haden is remembered within circles linked to former teammates, broadcasters, administrators, and legal professionals across institutions such as Loyola Law School, USC Thornton School of Music-adjacent donors, and civic organizations in Los Angeles County.

Category:1953 births Category:Living people Category:USC Trojans football players Category:Los Angeles Rams players Category:American football quarterbacks Category:College athletic directors in the United States Category:People from Santa Barbara, California