USC recruiting and everything else

[BobbyMac]

It's just my opinion, but remove Alabama and LSU from the rest of the conference and the West is just good not great. Auburn has been down lately. Old Miss, Miss State, and Arkansas aren't very consistent. Texas A&M hasn't been anything special lately. But like I said this is just my opinion.

What division is better?

 

[Irishcop]

What division is better?

Well Damn. As I sit here and think about it, I'm not really sure. The SEC East is and has been down. Outside of Ohio State, Michigan State, and maybe Michigan, the Big Ten is kind of weak. I would say the Big 12 South but they can't compare on the defensive side of the ball. the Pac 12 South has been pretty good the last couple of seasons, The North really only has Stanford and Oregon. So after thinking it over, I'm going to have to say The American Athletic Conference West. Final Answer.

But honestly, do you think the rest of the SEC West is that great minus Alabama and LSU? I know it's an odd question, but I think Bama and LSU are keeping that division where it is.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

The Gestalt of the disadvantaged, abjectly incapable members of our society

The Gestalt of the disadvantaged, abjectly incapable members of our society

DID BRAIN DAMAGE LEAD USC FOOTBALL STAR CHRIS BRYMER TO HOMELESSNESS?

Brilliant get, Legacy! Reps, sir!

Two points beyond the obvious tragedy if I may, first :

• Many previously successful individuals have organic issues (disease, mental conditions such as PTSD, etc.,) that preclude them from even getting help, let alone improving their conditions.
• Here is a man, who met with beaucoup success, and his (ex-)wife that made a better living after football, by far, than he did playing at the highest level.

One of the few silver linings of this story is that it shines the light of day on CTE (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy.)

• Take a look at any of the ex-boxing legends that live long enough for the symptoms to manifest themselves.
• The suicide rates of members of professions associated with the potential for repeated brain injuries towers over those of other professions less likely to suffer any kind of physically traumatic injury.
• Lou Gehrig, for whom the disease ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) was nicknamed, probably didn't have it. Modern scientist familiar with the case see plenty of anecdotal evidence pointing to CTE as opposed to ALS leading to his rapid decline. Most people don't realize that Lou played quite a bit of football as well, before his MLB career took off.

And the most poignant aspect of this story is that Chris and his wife made a post-football business success, only to lose everything because of the declining health, and impaired mental functioning of the former athlete.

 

[yankeehater]

Brilliant get, Legacy! Reps, sir!

Two points beyond the obvious tragedy if I may, first :

• Many previously successful individuals have organic issues (disease, mental conditions such as PTSD, etc.,) that preclude them from even getting help, let alone improving their conditions.
• Here is a man, who met with beaucoup success, and his (ex-)wife that made a better living after football, by far, than he did playing at the highest level.

One of the few silver linings of this story is that it shines the light of day on CTE (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy.)

• Take a look at any of the ex-boxing legends that live long enough for the symptoms to manifest themselves.
• The suicide rates of members of professions associated with the potential for repeated brain injuries towers over those of other professions less likely to suffer any kind of physically traumatic injury.
• Lou Gehrig, for whom the disease ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) was nicknamed, probably didn't have it. Modern scientist familiar with the case see plenty of anecdotal evidence pointing to CTE as opposed to ALS leading to his rapid decline. Most people don't realize that Lou played quite a bit of football as well, before his MLB career took off.

And the most poignant aspect of this story is that Chris and his wife made a post-football business success, only to lose everything because of the declining health, and impaired mental functioning of the former athlete.

Very similar to the Dave Duerson story....

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Breaking: Linebacker Bo Calvert gets an offer from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USC?src=hash">#USC</a> & commits. <a href="https://t.co/v0j1oZHwT4">https://t.co/v0j1oZHwT4</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/bo_calvert">@bo_calvert</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FightOn247">@FightOn247</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SWiltfong247">@SWiltfong247</a></p>— Ryan Bartow (@RyanBartow) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanBartow/status/717763194614321152">April 6, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Huge get for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USC?src=hash">#USC</a> landing the nation's No. 2 linebacker <a href="https://twitter.com/K1ng_Raymond">@K1ng_Raymond</a>. <a href="https://t.co/BPcPRoVq0f">https://t.co/BPcPRoVq0f</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/Scott_Schrader">@Scott_Schrader</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/bonnefootball">@bonnefootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JHopkins247">@JHopkins247</a></p>— Ryan Bartow (@RyanBartow) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanBartow/status/718545134154080256">April 8, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[gkIrish]

Hired Lynn Swann as their AD....

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USC?src=hash">#USC</a> hires Lynn Swann as athletic director<br><br>--> <a href="https://t.co/GchZEHZbqt">https://t.co/GchZEHZbqt</a> <a href="https://t.co/NGSWqfvOGa">pic.twitter.com/NGSWqfvOGa</a></p>— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL_CFB/status/720305715487862784">April 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">USC used a search firm with zero athletics placement experience and wound up with somebody with zero AD experience in Lynn Swann.</p>— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) <a href="https://twitter.com/BryanDFischer/status/720301487264391168">April 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Irish#1]

Pat Haden 2.0

 

[zelezo vlk]

Could it be better?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[phork]

No words. Just LOL.

 

[gkIrish]

It's almost impossible for USC to lose 4+ games a year with the type of talent they bring in and somehow they still are managing to do that.

 

[BoredIrish]

It's almost impossible for USC to lose 4+ games a year with the type of talent they bring in and somehow they still are managing to do that.

Cant wait till he fires Helton after 2 years and brings in Herm Edwards.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USC?src=hash">#USC</a> hires Lynn Swann as athletic director<br><br>--> <a href="https://t.co/GchZEHZbqt">https://t.co/GchZEHZbqt</a> <a href="https://t.co/NGSWqfvOGa">pic.twitter.com/NGSWqfvOGa</a></p>— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL_CFB/status/720305715487862784">April 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rY0WxgSXdEE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Pat Haden 2.0

Truer words never spoken!

Potential to kinetic, another legend starting to fall!

 

[IrishLax]

This is the release they emailed to their alumni/boosters forwarded to me by a friend:

Dear Fellow Trojan:

I am very pleased to announce that Lynn Swann has accepted my offer to become USC’s next athletic director, effective July 1, 2016. To his new role, Mr. Swann will bring the heart and soul of a Trojan.

For Mr. Swann, this appointment represents a homecoming of sorts. He first arrived on our campuses as a student-athlete in 1970, and has since distinguished himself as a legend in Trojan and NFL football, a highly regarded international media broadcaster, an extraordinarily effective leader, and a deeply committed civic figure. The Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl X, Mr. Swann is already well known to the Trojan Family, as well as to individuals around the world, and I am confident he will bring charismatic, dynamic leadership to this exceptionally consequential role at USC.

Indeed, athletics has long been the glue that binds our worldwide Trojan Family. As our university has risen so far and so fast academically, our student-athletes have given a particularly passionate voice to our pride, inspiring us to cheer with even more heart for our university and its community. Without question, we are an institution that combines academic excellence with athletic excellence, embraces the noblest ideals of the ancient Olympians, and draws on the spirit of athletics to advance our ambitions. Mr. Swann shares our profound dedication to these pursuits, and under his leadership, Trojan athletics will play an even greater role in redefining and improving the student-athlete experience.

Over the decades, USC has produced so many champions in intercollegiate athletics—as well as some of the most celebrated Olympians of all time—and, with renewed vigor, we will seek to bring our experience, expertise, and sheer love for intercollegiate athletics to important national conversations and reforms, particularly through our leadership in the Pac-12, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the College Football Playoff (CFP) association, and the Olympic movement.

Mr. Swann earned his bachelor’s degree in public relations from our Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. While pursuing academics at USC, he excelled on the football field, playing on two Rose Bowl teams and a National Championship team in 1972. He was team captain, most valuable player, and an All-American in 1973.

His collegiate success led to a storied career in professional football. In 1974, Mr. Swann was drafted in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and quickly became a cornerstone of the Steelers’ dynasty, winning four Super Bowls and playing in three Pro Bowls. In 2001, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Mr. Swann drew on these successes to distinguish himself as an acclaimed leader in both the civic and corporate spheres. He served as president of the national board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), an organization with which he has been active for more than 30 years. As president, he managed more than 300 agencies across the United States, and helped establish the organization as the premier mentoring group in the nation, drawing on the results of a scientific study.

In 2006, Mr. Swann oversaw his Pennsylvania gubernatorial campaign—a campaign that drew significant praise for its organization and focus, as he attempted to become the first African-American governor in that state’s history. He has further sharpened his governance experience in the boardroom as a director of a range of international companies, with previous service on the boards of The H. J. Heinz Company, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, and Hershey Entertainment and Resorts. Effective July 1, however, he intends to only serve on the Fluor Corporation Board and the board of the non-profit PGA of America, until November 2016, when his term with that organization ends.

In addition to these singular accomplishments, Mr. Swann established himself as a globally admired media commentator. Since 1976, he has worked for ABC, serving as a host, reporter, and analyst for a wide range of events, including the 1984 Summer Olympics, 1988 Winter Olympics, the International Diving Championships, College and Monday Night Football, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, the Irish Derby, and Wide World of Sports. The scope of these commitments reflects the breadth of his sports knowledge.

Mr. Swann, additionally, has emerged as a charismatic motivational speaker, offering an inspiring voice on the importance of assuming responsibility, strong leadership, and maximizing opportunities. He speaks to a wide range of audiences across the country. Recognizing Mr. Swann’s deftness as a leader, President George W. Bush appointed him as chair of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

In concert with his civic engagement and corporate governance responsibilities, Mr. Swann stands as a visionary philanthropist, and has raised money to provide scholarships for the Pittsburgh Ballet. His involvement with dance dates back to age eight, when his mother enrolled him in a dance class—a decision that would lay the foundation for the extraordinary coordination, physical precision, and keen sense of balance that would become hallmarks of his illustrious career as a wide receiver.

Before coming to USC as a student-athlete, Mr. Swann—who was born in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, near Knoxville, Tennessee—attended Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, California, where he was named an All-American High School Football player. During this time, he also excelled in track and field, with notable success in the long jump at the state level.

Mr. Swann has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including induction into the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame and the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame. In 1997, he received the Walter Camp Football Foundation Man of the Year Award, and in 2000, the Pop Warner Little Scholars Tomlin Award and the Pittsburgh YMCA Man of the Year Award. Mr. Swann was voted NFL Man of the Year in 1981, and inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame and the Bowling Hall of Fame.

Mr. Swann’s appointment came about only with the help of so many dedicated persons, and I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge Mr. Nicholas Brill of Brill Neumann Associates for the outstanding work he and his colleagues did throughout the search process. Thanks to their efforts, we considered more than 200 candidates for this position, and the pool was exceptionally diverse and highly qualified.

I also wish to thank the members of my senior leadership team for their assistance during the interview process. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the many members of the Trojan Family who reached out to me—I received several hundred letters!—expressing their heartfelt passion for USC athletics, and offering their frank advice regarding its future. And once again, I wish to thank Pat Haden for his stellar leadership as athletic director over the last five and a-half years. The Trojan Family will be forever grateful for his stewarding USC athletics through some of its most challenging times.

My wife Niki and I ask that the entire Trojan Family join us in welcoming Lynn Swann back to the University of Southern California, along with his wife Dr. Charena Swann, and their two sons, Braxton (who will join us this fall as a freshman) and Shafer (who is currently a student at West Point). We all look forward to taking Trojan athletics—indeed, our entire university—to even greater heights. Fight On!

You'll notice missing from those paragraphs are:
1. Any AD experience.
2. Any significant NCAA/athletic department experience, period.

So they basically replaced Haden with an arguably less-qualified Haden.

 

[BobbyMac]

Bet they hire a few strong assistant AD's to do all the work while Swann is out kissing babies at local high schools and juco's.

The only question is, will his office be at Serra or Mater Dei?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

My further thoughts are that USC seems to insist on picking a former football alum as athletic director; first Mike Garrett, then Pat Hayden. Now Lynn Swan. Who's next, Reggie Bush?

Really. Pat Hayden and hopefully Lynn Swan have a decent character. Don't think Garrett did so much. But with the toxicity of the alum, and the position Garrett and Carroll left them in, I think it almost buried Hayden, and is more likely to do so to Swann, unless he is another Mike Garrett.

If he is of low character, it will be all NCAA, because they love the Trojans so much!

 

[koonja]

Captain Jack was never an AD before taking the ND job. That said I hope Swann fails miserably.

 

[Irish#1]

Captain Jack was never an AD before taking the ND job. That said I hope Swann fails miserably.

No, but Jack was heavily involved in the Olympic, Pro and collegiate sports scenes in Indy. My guess is most of the positions Swann has held didn't require him to roll up his sleeves and contribute daily.

 

[BobbyMac]

No, but Jack was heavily involved in the Olympic, Pro and collegiate sports scenes in Indy. My guess is most of the positions Swann has held didn't require him to roll up his sleeves and contribute daily.

He was chairmanr of Indiana Sports Corp which staged every major sports event in the State of Indiana since the early 80's. He was also the leading force getting the NCAA to leave Overland Park, KS and relocate to Indy. He also has an economics degree from ND and a law degree from Stanford. He was a partner at Baker & Daniels for 30 years. The guy is PERFECTLY trained to be ND's AD...

Besides football, Lynn Swann's biggest accomplishment is:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_ZkK7umu3JI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[dales5050]

This is the release they emailed to their alumni/boosters forwarded to me by a friend:

You'll notice missing from those paragraphs are:
1. Any AD experience.
2. Any significant NCAA/athletic department experience, period.

So they basically replaced Haden with an arguably less-qualified Haden.

Honest question. Isn't it up to the school to decide what roll they want the AD to play? Isn't it up to the school how they build out the staff?

Maybe USC feels that have a strong team in place to manage many/most of the AD items and feels their compliance team is strong (lol)...so they are looking for another 'face' to the athletic department rather than a CEO. After all, that's what Haden was for the most part. I read that his primary focus was getting the stadium expansion built.

Maybe USC is taking a 'don't rock the boat' process for the next couple of years? Have Swann come in and focus on raising money and doing PR while having the deputies or various department heads manage the day to day.

Don't get me wrong. I think every school should shoot for the moon and try to find their version of Swarbrick but he is a rare find and ND is so lucky to have him.

 

[kmoose]

Maybe USC feels that have a strong team in place to manage many/most of the AD items and feels their compliance team is strong (lol)...so they are looking for another 'face' to the athletic department rather than a CEO. After all, that's what Haden was for the most part. I read that his primary focus was getting the stadium expansion built.

Or, in other words.........

So they basically replaced Haden with an arguably less-qualified Haden.

 

[kmoose]

Besides football, Lynn Swann's biggest accomplishment is:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_ZkK7umu3JI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

To be fair, Swann has sat on the Board of Directors of:

HJ Heinz
Hershey Entertainment
and Wyndham International

I'm betting that those positions were most likely ceremonial, since all of them are based in Eastern PA/Western NJ, and they certainly don't qualify him to be an Athletic Director, but they are a little more prestigious than winning the 100 yard dash on Superstars.

 

[dales5050]

Or, in other words.........

My point was you need to identify the job description before you can define if a person is qualified to do it or not.

ND needs someone like Swarbrick. He needs to be able to negotiate not only as an AD but also as a 'conference' when it comes to things like TV deals and scheduling. He also needs to create balance between academics and athletics.

Many of the things ND needs may not exist for USC. The TV deal is done by the PAC12 I assume. The schedule is almost fully locked in with the PAC12 and ND as well. It's not the same job.

USC does not have the wonder of Malpass and they don't have the same endowment. I am assuming that PR and raising money are higher up the list out west than in South Bend.

 

[Classic Irish]

As a product of the McKay-Goux cesspool at southern cal, I suspect he'll be more inclined to look the other way when it comes to NCAA rules. I realize that Haden played under McKay as well, but Swann strikes me more like Mike Garret than Pat Haden.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

He was chairmanr of Indiana Sports Corp which staged every major sports event in the State of Indiana since the early 80's. He was also the leading force getting the NCAA to leave Overland Park, KS and relocate to Indy. He also has an economics degree from ND and a law degree from Stanford. He was a partner at Baker & Daniels for 30 years. The guy is PERFECTLY trained to be ND's AD...

Besides football, Lynn Swann's biggest accomplishment is:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_ZkK7umu3JI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

A) Look at Swann's hair!

B) Brian Oldfield is probably one of the great, most unappreciated athletes of all time. A 6'4", 250lb athlete, that could run a 10.4 second 100 yard dash? GTFOH! Can you imagine him as a linebacker or a defensive end? In his day?

C) OJ Simpson ran a 9.67 second 100 yard dash in sneakers? Whew!

D) Did you notice who was doing the on field interviews? None other than Mr. October!

 

[phgreek]

Cant wait till he fires Helton after 2 years and brings in Herm Edwards.

I figured the helton hire would be Hayden's undoing...I don't think Swany is going to ride that bus over the cliff...I see helton gone after this year if they drop 2 games. Now, who they bring in, man I don't know. My biggest fear is, swany could actually pull someone who can crank it up...that job could be sweet if you are competent. The one I fear is Chris Petersen. He ends up at So. Cal., and life is gonna suck for a decade.

 

[phgreek]

A) Look at Swann's hair!

B) Brian Oldfield is probably one of the great, most unappreciated athletes of all time. A 6'4", 250lb athlete, that could run a 10.4 second 100 yard dash? GTFOH! Can you imagine him as a linebacker or a defensive end? In his day?

C) OJ Simpson ran a 9.67 second 100 yard dash in sneakers? Whew!

D) Did you notice who was doing the on field interviews? None other than Mr. October!

in the final standings...Robert Duvall? WoW.

Oldfield...Beast. Swany...gifted. Sprinter Technique...come a LOOOONG way.

 

[BobbyMac]

I figured the helton hire would be Hayden's undoing...I don't think Swany is going to ride that bus over the cliff...I see helton gone after this year if they drop 2 games. Now, who they bring in, man I don't know. My biggest fear is, swany could actually pull someone who can crank it up...that job could be sweet if you are competent. The one I fear is Chris Petersen. He ends up at So. Cal., and life is gonna suck for a decade.

Don't worry about Peterson. His next move will be into Sneaky Pete's office at CenturyLink Field, if anywhere. He didn't withdraw from consideration for the SC job because of Haden, he withdrew because of the total culture.... plus they had figured out if he didn't take it, they were gonna hire Sarkisian over Franklin and he would walk into Washington and $3.5M per. Now he's inked through '20something with fat buyouts.

I'd worry about a hot NFL type who can get it done like Pete did or a young guy who still thinks LA would be fun to live in like say maybe Jason Fuente was as the hot guy at Memphis last year. SC and UCLA are not for the traditional big program, established coaches. They want the equal money and country club lifestyle provided by traditional powers, not the urban chaos of LA.

*** And btw... how about Dave Kingman on the outside? Looked like he was running back to the dugout for a pack of Newports. His running style could best be described as a coordinated seizure.


.