New Athletic Director returns home, ready to lead USC

Lynn Swann — a name many lifetime Trojan fans recognize as one of their own and remember from his time in the Cardinal and Gold has returned. This time, though, he is wearing a polo shirt and khakis.

Swann was named USC’s new Athletic Director in April and began his tenure on July 1. The Daily Trojan sat down with him to discuss how his first months on the job has been as well as his visions for the future.

“For any administrator coming onto campus to work, July is a great time to begin,” Swann said. “It gives you time to get used to the campus, and even though I graduated from here, it is a new campus. There are things to learn and people to meet.”

And he has been doing just that. From rekindling old friendships across campus to learning from the veteran staff in the athletic department, Swann isn’t worried about the day-to-day operations. Instead, he is worried about the unexpected issues that are sure to arise and test both he and his staff.

“The challenge comes from the unanticipated,” Swann said. “What decision will a student athlete make that we now have to be concerned about? What new rule will come across that we have to be concerned about? […] Those are things that will keep an Athletic Director up at night.”

After many different careers — professional football player, broadcaster and politician — Swann has learned what it takes to be a leader, and that is what he feels has prepared him the most for his new job. Despite the criticism he has faced for being hired because he is an alumnus (he is the third straight former Trojan football player to land the job), Swann does not see his lack of experience as a disadvantage.

“I’m not worried about the critics; there will always be critics,” Swann said. “Most head coaches have never been head coaches, and as we have seen, being in the system and then becoming a head coach doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be a good coach. Background does not always signal success moving forward.”

Swann’s focus is solely on the student athletes. He has a three-pronged approach to how he ideally wants each Trojan to spend their time representing USC. First and foremost for Swann is for each student athlete to graduate.

“I want to emphasize getting a degree and create enthusiasm about the opportunity and engage the student athlete into getting a degree in the time that he or she is here,” Swann said.

Secondly, he wants to win.

“You don’t get the most out of yourself playing for second-best. You don’t find out what you are capable of if you are playing for participation,” Swann said. “Winning is a mindset that we want to make sure the student athlete takes with them with whatever they do after sport.”

Swann hopes to be the Athletic Director that sees every sport at USC that has not won a national title (there are only five that have not) be the first program in history to win a championship.

Lastly, Swann wants athletes to experience as much of college as they can.

“This may be the most difficult of all with the schedule of a student athlete,” Swann said. “Everything they have to do doesn’t give them as much free time as any other student on campus, and we are going to work hard to create a college experience for those young men and women who are here.”

Swann knows how they feel. He too spent his collegiate days trying to find a balance between the Coliseum and the classroom. This is one thing that Swann feels gives him unique and valuable experience.

Swann graduated in 1974 with a degree in public relations and, as a wide receiver, won the 1972 national championship and two additional Rose Bowls as a Trojan. His quarterback for three seasons was former Athletic Director Pat Haden. Haden and Swann golfed a few times this summer, and Swann said that Haden has expressed his support for Swann in his new role as well as giving him some advice.

As both former football players know, football season is make it or break it at USC, but Swann is confident not only in this years team but another rookie, first-year head coach Clay Helton.

“I think Coach Helton and I are on the same page,” Swann said. “He understands the opportunity that is in front of him, and I have all the confidence in the world in him that he can get that job done; and I will help him as much as I can.”