Jennifer Cohen's success as USC athletic director will mostly hinge on working with Lincoln Riley to ensure USC becomes a college football juggernaut.
How did the Pac-12 die? These surprising decisions by USC, Oregon, Washington and others thwarted efforts to save the conference.“Listen,” Riley said, “this position, I don’t know what it was like a few years ago when they went through a search, whoever the next athletic director is will be walking into a pretty good situation.”
What Riley didn’t say — and possibly doesn’t even fully realize — is he’s the reason for that. Cohen starts on Day 1 with one of the top young football coaches in the sport, not just college football. But his desirability ramps up the pressure, too. The moment Riley doesn’t see the department’s trajectory on the same path as his own is the moment some NFL owner could potentially sway him to make another bold career move.
“The elite coaches that we have here are a driver for me,” Cohen said. “These coaches are tireless. They show up every day trying to be the best. I’m excited to serve them. I like being around other people who want to be the best.”Cohen is taking over at the right time, too. USC has announced ambitious plans for a state-of-the-art football facility, and, luckily, Cohen’s specialty at Washington has long been fundraising.
At USC, it always comes back to this: If Cohen gives Riley what he needs, USC donors will gladly give her what she needs.
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