NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swann to Helm USC Athletics

LOS ANGELES, CA - NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Lynn Swann, a former Trojan, was named USC's next athletic director today, replacing the retiring Pat Haden.

Swann, 64, was an All-American at USC and helped lead the Trojans to an undefeated national championship season in 1972. As a pro, Swann won four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and was named MVP of Super Bowl X.

"To his new role, Lynn Swann will bring the heart and soul of a Trojan," USC president C.L. Max Nikias said. "He shares our profound dedication to combining academic excellence with ahtletic excellence."

Swann earned a bachelor's degree in public relations from USC.

"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," Swann said. "As athletic director, my goals for the student-athletes will be to graduate, to win and to experience."

Swann's hiring brought immediate words of support from another prominent former Trojan, Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.

"Excited to hear Lynn Swann is the next athletic director at USC," Carroll wrote on his Twitter page. "He will be an outstanding leader and great champion for the Trojan cause."

Swann retired from the NFL in 1983 and began working as a broadcaster with ABC Sports. He worked on broadcast teams covering several Olympic Games, college football games, the Kentucky Derby and even appeared on ABC's "Monday Night Football."

Swann was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.

He was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2002 as chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, on which he served until 2005. Swann ran for governor of Pennsylvania in 2006, losing to incumbent Ed Rendell.

Haden announced in February that he would retire at the end of June. He is expected to remain with the university for another year to help guide the renovation of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Haden became USC's athletic director in 2010, replacing Mike Garrett, who held the post for 17 years. Haden, a former USC quarterback, had been serving on the university's Board of Trustees since 1991. He resigned that post when he was named athletic director.

Haden came under criticism late last year over his handling of the suspension and ultimate firing of football coach Steve Sarkisian, who was ousted amid a battle with alcohol use. Haden did not immediately fire Sarkisian, opting to keep him on despite a public melt-down in which the coach slurred his words and used profanity during an apparently drunken speech at a pre-season pep rally.

Sarkisian later blamed his behavior on a mix of alcohol and prescription drugs. Haden publicly rebuked the coach, but allowed him to keep his job. But concerns about his behavior persisted, prompting Haden to place Sarkisian on indefinite leave in October. Haden fired him the next day.

As part of today's announcement, Nikias again thanked Haden for his leadership of the department.

"The Trojan family will be forever grateful to Pat for stewarding USC athletics through some of its most challenging times," he said.

City News Service; Photo: Wikimedia Commons