timetokill
Banned
I would agree with you if it wasn't obvious that the AD hired Kiffen as a sanction-era patsy. Kiffen was a horrible coach as everyone knew from his time with the Vols and the Raiders. Nobody thought he would be better at USC. The only part of this thing I can't remember is if the previous AD was the one who hired Kiffen. It makes more sense to fire him as it wasn't this AD's guy.
Haden didn't hire Kiffin. Mike Garrett (the former AD) did.
Kiffin was hired because quality coaches weren't willing to come with the NCAA sanctions hanging over the program. Meanwhile Kiffin was eager to get out of TN and ride Carroll's coattails some more. Garrett was never particularly good at hiring the right guy (Carroll was a lucky get, and his 4th choice iirc), and hiring Kiffin seemed like a way to appease fans who wanted to continue Carroll's winning ways.