I agree with jafabian that Tui was the right choice as interim coach. He’s the same age as Sark was when he came here, although Sark had more coaching experience. I think his youth will be conducive to the players taking to him. Among a coach’s primary responsibilities, of course, is to provide leadership and require discipline among the players. I believe he will exude the idea that “we’re all in this together”. This isn’t a bad thing as long as Tui makes clear who is in charge.

In a slightly different vein, the timing of Haden’s offer to Sark makes no sense to me. Absent USC’s offer, Sark wasn’t going anywhere. I can’t picture him being any less available after the bowl games are played than he was before. He won’t be head coach for USC’s bowl game, although he certainly will be involved in some way. USC’s best chance to win their bowl game would have been with Orgeron as head coach, as evidenced by his success after taking over and the fact that many of his players were upset by his departure. Overall I can’t see that USC gained anything by courting Sark now rather than after the season is over.