USC yesterday chose Pro Football HOFer Lynn Swann to succeed outgoing AD Pat Haden, the third consecutive former football player to lead USC's athletics program, and Swann's lack of "experience in major college administration" drew "substantial criticism," according to a front-page piece by Zach Helfand of the L.A. TIMES. Swann has "never worked in major college athletics, and he is not among the many former USC football stars who have remained closely connected with the team." USC has hired only one AD who "had no background at the school, Mike McGee, who guided the sports program" from '84-93. But Haden had "never been in athletics administration" when USC brought him on in August '10. Swann after retiring from the NFL in '83 "served on several nonprofit and corporate boards, was a broadcaster and television show host, failed in a bid to become governor of Pennsylvania," was co-Owner of the AFL Pittsburgh Power and "made cameo appearances in movies." Swann will become USC's second African-American AD and "one of fewer than a dozen to hold the job at the major college level." His main task -- to "restore luster to football, USC's signature sport -- will be challenging but not nearly as daunting as that faced by Haden upon his arrival." Swann's salary was not disclosed, but Haden is "believed to be the highest-paid" AD in the nation. Federal tax filings show Haden's annual salary and benefits package was worth $2.5M in '14. Swann "was chosen over" USC Senior Associate AD & COO Steve Lopes (L.A. TIMES, 4/14). The school noted that Swann's son, Braxton, will "attend USC as a freshman this fall" (AP, 4/13). USC President Max Nikias said that he "expects Swann to bring his experience, expertise and love for collegiate athletics to key national conversations and reforms" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 4/14).
WHAT IT TAKES: Executive search firm CarrSports President Bill Carr said that the number of ADs "hired without experience in athletic departments has been rising," citing Notre Dame's Jack Swarbrick and Arizona State's Ray Anderson. Carr: "It's easier at the mega-program than at the lower-level program, because of the breadth and the depth of the staff." In N.Y., Marc Tracy notes Swann will "continue to serve" on the boards for Texas-based engineering firm Fluor and the PGA of America. There will be a "continued emphasis on compliance" at USC under Swann (N.Y. TIMES, 4/14). Broadcaster Al Michaels, who worked all sorts of events with Swann when they were with ABC, said, "I think it's an inspired choice by USC. He's not going to phone this thing in. He's going to do his homework" (L.A. TIMES, 4/14). Pro Football HOFer and USC alum Ronnie Lott tweeted, "Lynn Swann is a Hall Of Fame person and leader. This is wonderful news for @USC_Athletics. #FightOn."
SAME OLD, SAME OLD: USA TODAY's Dan Wolken writes under the header, "History Repeats As Delusional USC Hires Swann." The school "exists in a perpetual state of self-glory, where its euphoria over athletic accomplishments past is viewed as the antecedent of those to come." Nothing "outside the USC bubble matters to USC." Wolken: "To be fair, we don't know how ... effectively Swann can manage this athletics department." But USC's "sheer predictability is comical," as no school "lives down to its reputation more aggressively or consistently." Wolken: "There's no doubt Swann wants to be a good AD, but after a lifetime in the NFL, the announcing booth and the political arena, does he really know what it takes?" (USA TODAY, 4/14). FOXSPORTS.com's Aaron Torres wrote Swann's hiring "was typical USC." No athletic department "sticks to its roots and relishes in its glory days quite like" USC does, and no school has "suffered more over the past decade or so because of it" (FOXSPORTS.com, 4/13). CBSSPORTS.com's Tom Fornelli wrote under the header, "USC More Interested In Reliving The Past Than Improving The Present." The hiring has "nothing to do with Swann himself," as it is possible he will "be the man to lead USC back to glory, but recent history strongly suggests otherwise" (CBSSPORTS.com, 4/13).
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF: In L.A., Gary Klein notes the "hiring of Swann surprised some people, but it probably shouldn't have." It "would have been a revelation if USC opted to go outside" its so-called family, but longtime observers of the athletic department "doubted that Nikias would seriously consider an outsider." A source said that Haden "endorsed Lopes as his successor" (L.A. TIMES, 4/14). In California, Shad Powers writes under the header, "Is Trojan Way The Right Way?" Swann may "be perfectly able to handle" his AD duties, and he is an "intelligent man a great motivational speaker." But the "current trend at high-profile universities is to go away from the big name" (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 4/14). Yahoo Sports' Pat Forde tweeted, "The University of Self Congratulation does it again!" Author John Bacon tweeted, In hiring Lynn Swann, USC missed lessons of Mich, Texas and yes, USC: when hiring an athletic director, you should hire an athletic director."
CAN HE CUT IT? ESPN.com's Ted Miller wrote Swann's hiring is "another seemingly outside-the-box hire -- no one saw this coming -- that is decidedly inside USC's box, its comfort zone." USC "wants to keep things in the family." Miller: "But can you say that Swann knows how to evaluate and hire a football or basketball coach? Or that he's a creative fundraiser who can charm wallets open, and not just once -- over and over again? Is he the sort who understands the complex politics of an athletic department? Is he the sort who can charm, say, an angry water polo coach as well as a billionaire booster? Does he understand the nuances of Title IX compliance?" It is "entirely possible that Swann will preside over a new golden age of USC sports," yet this is "another uncertain move that won't energize the fan base" (ESPN.com, 4/13). The AP's Ralph Russo tweeted, "Maybe Lynn Swann will be the greatest AD in the history of ADs. But I have no evidence to support this." The L.A. Times' Lindsey Thiry tweeted, "Lynn Swann has an impressive resume, but still must wonder why USC hires an athletic director with… no experience as an athletic director."
SURPRISE MOVE: SPORTS ON EARTH's Matt Brown wrote, "If you had to guess the name of USC's new athletic director based on what most major universities would do, Lynn Swann's name wouldn't be anywhere near your list" (SPORTSONEARTH.com, 4/13). Bleacher Report's Bryan Fischer tweeted, "USC used a search firm with zero athletics placement experience and wound up with somebody with zero AD experience." He followed that up with, "Aside from serving on a few corporate boards, I genuinely can't find (that) Lynn Swann has been doing anything the past decade."
