People, like life itself, are complicated. Public image and private reality are often different. What outsiders see on the surface is often quite different from internal realities in workplaces and departments. To a certain undeniable extent, this split between front-stage and back-stage identities has existed at USC.
On the surface, Mike Bohn seemed to be the consummate professional. Athletic directors are paid big money to do a few things really well. One of them is to hire the right coaches for sports programs, especially in the high-profile revenue sports.
Mike Bohn did that part of his job really well. That is very clear.
Bohn is also leaving USC under a cloud of disappointment. USC President Carol Folt accepted Bohn’s resignation and very briefly thanked Bohn for his service to USC in a manner which was (appropriately) subdued. Bohn, as L.A. Times reporting has noted, was asked about his management of the USC athletic department one day before he resigned. The Times gathered numerous complaints from several different sources about Bohn’s behavior and his management practices.
Translated: This is not a happy retirement or withdrawal from the scene. This is an unwelcomed, unwanted exit which had to occur due to unprofessional behavior. The contradictions and complications of Mike Bohn’s tenure at USC have been laid bare. Let’s tackle the most important points: