USC Hires Lynn Swann as New Athletic Director

USC football great Lynn Swann was announced as the new Trojan Athletic Director Wednesday morning, set to replace Pat Haden after his retirement this summer.

USC has a new athletic director. Max Nikias announced Wednesday that USC football Hall of Famer and NFL great Lynn Swann is his choice to replace Pat Haden as athletic director after his retirement on June 30.

Swann helped lead USC to two Rose Bowls and a National Championship in 1972 as a wide receiver for the Trojans. He earned All-American and team MVP status in 1973 while serving as team captain. In 1993 he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Following his Trojan career, Swann entered the NFL as a member of the Steelers. In Pittsburgh his success continued as he played his way to three Pro Bowl and four Super Bowl appearances. His acrobatic catches in Super Bowl X saw him claim Super Bowl MVP honors.

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In recognition of his stellar career and championship contributions, Swann was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.

While his qualifications as an all-time great on the gridiron, Swann also boasts a great deal of post-football success.

Swann forged a career as a media commentator after his playing days, working for ABC as an analyst for football, the Olympics and other sports. He was the president of the national board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. He has also served on the board of directors for a variety of international companies including the H. J. Heinz Company, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, and Hershey Entertainment and Resorts.

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In 2006, Swann mounted a campaign to become the first African-American governor of Pennyslvania.

Now he returns to the place it all began, hoping to use the skills he developed on and off the field to manage the athletic department at his alma mater.

“I am excited about coming back to USC – its growth and success under President Nikias has been phenomenal and my family and I are looking forward to being a part of that,” said Swann.   “As athletic director, my goals for the student-athletes will be to graduate, to win and to experience.”

According to USC, more than 200 candidates were in line for the job. As always, however, the Trojans kept it within the Family.