USC formally introduced Lynn Swann as its new AD on Thursday, and he said that while the school "approached him about the position some time after" his predecessor, Pat Haden, announced his retirement in February, he "had not previously expressed interest in the position," according to Joey Kaufman of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. USC President Max Nikias said that Swann "emerged as one seven 'serious' finalists for the opening, among them sitting athletic directors at other schools, NFL front office members and others with legal experience." He declined to identify others who had been considered. The Brill Neumann executive search firm "initially put together a list of 200 candidates." Nikias during the process said that he "did not involve Haden or members of the Board of Trustees," but rather it "was his decision." He added that he "did not inform Haden of Swann’s hiring until five minutes before the Wednesday announcement." Kaufman notes the fact Swann "had no college administrative experience did not sway Nikias." He said, "That wasn’t a concern to me at all. ... I am looking for a person who has the leadership qualities, the traits of leadership. And I’m a very strong believer that the best training for leadership is leadership itself." Swann said that he would "make up for his lack of experience in college athletics by listening and drawing on his ability to be decisive." Kaufman notes of the eight ADs USC has hired since 1925, "only one, Mike McGee, was not an alum or someone who previously worked at the school" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 4/15). In L.A., Scott Wolf writes Swann "delivered a sharp performance Thursday at his first press conference and sought to reassure nervous coaches about their futures." He said, "I am not here to clean house or make overwhelming changes in the coaching staff. I’m not here to usurp the coaches’ authority over the football team" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 4/15).
FOOTBALL REMAINS THE PRIORITY: In L.A., Dylan Hernandez writes while it "would be nice if the up-and-coming men's basketball program could ascend to national prominence or for the women's teams to win some more national championships, the only sport that really means anything at USC is football." Swann on Thursday said, "You look at football being the No. 1 asset of the athletic department, in terms of revenue and success." Hernandez writes how Swann is judged will "come down to how the football team performs," and how the football team performs will "come down to Clay Helton, who is entering his first full season as head coach." If Helton "isn't the long-term solution, Swann will have to figure out not only the right time to make a change, but also how to go about replacing him." Meanwhile, if Swann "looked like a safe choice, that was probably by design." There is "stability at USC," and the objective is to "not disrupt that." Nikias said that he wanted his new AD to be "a leader, not a manager." But Swann "offered a slightly different view, saying there are times it's better to be a manager" (L.A. TIMES, 4/15).
