But remember, Kiffin has no filter. His thinking was, “I want Kennedy Pola,” without any regard to diplomatic channels or possible fallout. As a result, he brought a qualified assistant to his staff, but with him came more negative publicity and a lawsuit.

If Haden had been on the job when Pete Carroll departed, he would not have hired Lane Kiffin, despite Haden’s recent pronouncement that “He is my coach, and I love my coach.”

Haden wouldn’t have wanted his alma mater to be engulfed in the brouhaha that resulted from stealing Kiffin away from Tennessee after one season; that’s not Haden’s style. He also wouldn’t have wanted a coach who has public feuds with other coaches or schools. In the SEC, when personalities mud-wrestle, it’s just part of doing business. To Haden, it’s mud-wrestling.

Of course, much of this will be moot if Kiffin’s USC teams prove to be spectacular successes. But given the restrictions on scholarships imposed by the NCAA and the pall that might overtake the Trojans because of the two-year bowl ban, the team might lack spirit and purpose.

In that case, friction may develop between head coach and athletic director over methods, style, vision and philosophy. Then the marriage might be over even before a honeymoon takes place.

Soon Kiffin will be back in the NFL. Just because Kiffin pilfered an assistant from Fisher doesn’t mean an owner someday will hesitate to hire him. In the NFL, ruthlessness is as ubiquitous as eye black.

At least to this point, Kiffin has been a man without a filter. If he doesn’t understand his need to get one, he’ll also be a man without a place at Haden’s USC.

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