Sarkisian: “We Are Not Rebuilding, We Are Here To Win Championships”

Dec 3, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Steve Sarkisian waves to the crowd at a press conference to announce his hiring as Southern California Trojans football coach at John McKay Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Steve Sarkisian was officially introduced as the new head coach of the USC Trojans in a press conference Tuesday afternoon and he did not shy away from the expectations that come with heading such a storied program.

“We are not rebuilding,” Sarkisian stressed multiple times. “We are here to win championships and our work toward a championship has already begun.”

The championship word was used early and often by Sarkisian, who has not come out of the gate timidly as the head coach of the place he calls “home.”

“We will not shy away [from expectations],” Sarkisian said. “We will embrace them.”

When Haden first welcomed Sarkisian onto the podium, he shook his hand and said, “Don’t lose to UCLA or Notre Dame.”

Later, when Sarkisian returned to the podium and a question was asked about that, he laughed and nodded, “And Oregon and Oregon State and Arizona State and everybody, I know.”

Sarkisian called USC a “once in a lifetime opportunity” and mentioned his seven years with the Trojans as an assistant, noting the excellence achieved by Pete Carroll.

“USC is about being the best, that’s why we all chose to be part of it,” Sarkisian said. “I want to be the best.”

When it comes to the style Sarkisian will bring, he said that fans will have plenty to be excited about, “Our loyal fanbase will get a brand of football that will make them be proud to be Trojans.”

“We’re going to have an innovative offense that accentuates the talent we have on the roster,” he said of his desire to get the most out of USC’s offense.

“We’re a no-huddle team,” Sarkisian said. “It’s a run first but we do strive for balance.”

On the subject of recruiting, Sarkisian laid out what he’ll be looking for, “We’re going to recruit the talents, kids with desire, with character and who want to do something special.”

Also of note, Sarkisian assured fans that practices, as far as compliance will allow, will be open to everyone.