USC continued its tradition of hiring athletic directors with no previous experience when it announced Pro Football Hall of Famer Lynn Swann would replace Pat Haden on July 1.
Swann, 64, was a teammate of Haden’s at USC and almost mirrors him when it comes to taking over the athletic director’s position. Like Haden, Swann is a former broadcaster, a member of the Augusta National Golf Club and has served on the boards of numerous corporations.
“I am excited about coming back to USC,” Swann said in a statement. “Its growth and success under president (Max) Nikias has been phenomenal and my family and I are looking forward to being a part of that. As athletic director, my goals for the student-athletes will be to graduate, to win and to experience.”
USC officials said Swann beat out more than 200 other applicants for the job.
Mike McGee, who was the school’s athletic director from 1983 to ‘94, is the only person who previously had experience with the position at another school before being hired at USC.
The decision surprised some who believed long-time administrator Steve Lopes was the frontrunner.
“To his new role, Lynn Swann will bring the heart and soul of a Trojan,” Nikias said in a statement. “He shares our profound dedication to combining academic excellence with athletic excellence.”
Like Haden, Swann serves on numerous corporate boards, which drew criticism for USC’s current athletic director. USC said Wednesday that effective July 1, Swann would serve only on the Fluor Corporation Board and the board of the PGA of America, until his term expires in November.
“This new role as AD fits with my life focus of leadership, mentoring young people, helping others and giving them the tools they need to grow and achieve,” Swann said.
The hiring of Swann will undoubtedly cause some stress for coaches unsure of a new athletic director. Football coach Clay Helton is just beginning his first full season. Basketball coach Andy Enfield recently signed a contract extension through 2021.
For many USC fans, their only image of Swann is as a former All-American, Super Bowl champion wide receiver or ABC broadcaster. But more recently, he’s been an aspiring politician and member of the business establishment. Swann ran for governor in Pennsylvania in 2006, but lost to incumbent Ed Rendell by 21 percentage points (60-39). He also served as president of the national board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
“USC opened doors for me,” Swann said. “I learned about myself, and my education created a pathway to go forward. I was always looking toward preparing for that career beyond football.”
Swann graduated from USC with a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. He played on two Rose Bowl teams and the 1972 national championship team. He was team captain, most valuable player and an All-American in 1973.
In 1974, Swann was drafted in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, going on to win four Super Bowls and play in three Pro Bowls. In 2001, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.