USC Football: Lane Kiffin has support of AD Pat Haden

USC athletic director Pat Haden was adamant that Trojans head coach Lane Kiffin will retain his job, despite the disappointing season, according to Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times.

Despite fans clamoring for Kiffin to be fired amidst a tumultuous season that included a recent 38-28 loss to the rival UCLA Bruins in Pasadena, Haden was stalwart in his support of the head coach:

"Lane is my head coach, 150 percent," he told Plaschke. "Now and hopefully for a long time."

Haden went on to say that he saw potential in Kiffin's effort and believed that Kiffin has done a good job under the circumstances. The Trojans are 7-4 overall and 5-4 in the Pac-12 conference. They will face No. 1 Notre Dame on Nov. 24 in an effort to play spoiler against the Fighting Irish and dash their hopes of a national title berth.

USC was ranked No. 1 in the preseason polls. As of Monday, they were ranked No. 24 in the BCS standings. Quarterback Matt Barkley and wide receiver Marqise Lee were each considered to be among the favorites for the Heisman Trophy, but the Trojans' poor record has all but squashed those hopes.