Lynn Swann might be the highest-paid athletic director in the country when he takes over in July at USC. And he might do a great job. But it is odd that someone chosen from more than 200 applicants had to call other athletic directors on how they actually do their job. Unless you factor in that we are talking about USC.
“I had to go a little bit undercover for awhile because I was trying to do my own research about the job and what it takes,” Swann said. “I spoke to a number of people who were in the same position. basically told them I was looking at consulting someone for the job (and) got a little bit of information.”
Seriously…
No worries, wolfman…we got Steve Lopes to train Swanny!! I’m sure he’ll be happy to train his new boss how to do his job!
#UnderCoverBrother
Give it a rest SW. I’m sure Lynn is very capable of doing the job. At least he is honest and not a hack like you!
To use a word that the blogger seems particularly fetched by, this seems an “odd’ piece. Is the fact that Lynn consulted with other A.D.’s supposed to make our blood boil?
No, what’s odd is paying a guy $ 2.5 million a year to do a job he has never done before. Where else does that happen? What business sense does that make?
The undergraduate SoCal experience and tuition apparently prepares it’s football fans to overpay for a marginal product.
I hear you, j. But it is not unheard of for folks to do well (and get paid well) in jobs they’ve never done before —-in fact, it happens all the time in the sports, business and film world. The question really comes down to “does the person have the goods?” Based on everything I’ve seen of Lynn Swann over the years, it looks like the answer is yes.
It is not uncommon for job seekers to reach out to people that are in the field they are looking for work; and it is also not uncommon for someone with little or no background in a position to seek out those that do. To me it demonstrates a willingness to learn and a recognition of knowing what one doesn’t know. I am not saying that Swann is a unique individual who is smarter than the rest. But that he appears to be a professional. Lets all hope so.
In what business is it common to pay a guy $ 2.5 million to do a job he has never done previously?
Maybe we should ask Pat Haden, because he did the exact same thing.
We call that “due diligence” in the business – smart move by Mr. Swann.
So the “more than 200 applicants” were all current or previous ADs?
There must be a lot of unhappy ADs out there looking to ditch their jobs. Either that or USC must be viewed as THE place to work.
IMO, Jack, this is exactly what Swann should do, and what his agent should tell him to do: hire the smartest, experienced AD/sports exec. available to coach him while he learns the ropes.
I have written elsewhere that if I were Swann, I would consult ex-SEC head Mike Slive, a very smart guy, about whom to hire as my consultant.
Scott has seized on Swann’s humility and realism to continue criticizing the Swann hire. Scott, we know that Swann has never done this job before. What exactly would Scott suggest? That Swann hide his documented inexperience and rely 100% on Lopes and Haden?
Would Peter Drucker have recommended that course of action?
Swann wants to SUCCEED as AD, rather than to fake “smart” in 2016. Why fake it, when you can avoid current errors and actually be a “smart pro” in a year or two. No wonder he was NFL and college Hall of Fame. This is how it’s done. I commend Swann 110% for not letting his ego undermine his determination to succeed.
I don’t think the job is rocket science. It’s basic organization and management skills; being able to fund raise at a high level; and find coaches that can do a good job, then oversee them on compliance issues. I think 90% of the job at SC is having a name recognizable enough to get your foot in the door for high end ‘meet and greets’. AND, when it comes time to hire a coach, you actually do some due diligence in finding a worthy person. Pat Haden did great at all but that last part — which is the most visible to us fans. Hopefully Swanny will surprise us when the time comes to actually do a good job hiring.
“Pat, what does this button do? And that one? And what happens when you pull this lever? What’s this empty file that’s labeled ‘FB Head Coach Search’? And whoa, is that Sparkletts dispenser full of Glenlivet?!”
I guess we gotta see if this works but I’m not so sure this is a great hire. USC puts fundraising first, administration second and students third.
And football 4th?
Smart Move, Mr. Swann. Proverbs 11:14 “Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.” FIGHT ON !!!
Amen.
That’s typical for SC. Instead of hiring someone who comes in with the attitude “I know exactly what needs to be done and this is how I am going to do it” because he has years of experience in the field, they hire someone who is thinking “I better call some people and find out how to do this job” because he’s never done it before in his life. But here’s the good side…..he’s an SC graduate. That makes all the difference in the world. Yeah, right!
So you don’t think Mike Garrett, and Pat Haden did the exact same thing? The difference being is, Lynn Swann verbalized the fact he was observing different situations, what’s wrong with that? We live in a society where faking it, and pretending is more acceptable then being real …..lol
My thought, too, as stated above. This is a very encouraging sign, unless one doesn’t know how to read signs.
Lynn Swann does not know how to do his job… I could see Monte Kiffin returning to southern cal as the AD and bring his son back as the football HC!
I’m slow. Please explain that logical chain for me.
On the job training again, USC where no experience is necessary. Look how well that has gone. LOL
If you have a burning desire to win and losing is unacceptable, then you know what to look for in coaches that do win almost all the time. What is so hard about seeing that? Lynn, spend USC’s money. they have lots of it to spend and get a top-name coach if Helton doesn’t pan out.
I see it as Lynn Swann being upfront and honest about it. Is that outdated now? He is the new AD, admits to everyone he doesn’t know how to do the job but is willing to put up with all of our crap. Perhaps this will be a breath of fresh air and he has gained my respect for admitting it. Now go do a great job and shut everyone up.