USC football hires first director of AI ahead of 2026 season
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 12, 2026, 12:05 AM
Last updated Jun 12, 2026
USC is set to announce Conor McQuiston as its first director of artificial intelligence for college football on June 10, 2026. This move comes after the university received a $200 million gift aimed at supporting AI research and implementation. McQuiston has previous experience in analytics for both the NFL and college football. He will report to USC general manager Chad Bowden, who previously established an analytics director position at Notre Dame. Additional full-time staff for the analytics department are also expected to be hired. Lincoln Riley, entering his fifth season as head coach, prepares the Trojans to begin their season at home against San Jose State on August 29.
- •Conor McQuiston expected to be named director of AI on June 10.
- •USC received a $200 million gift for AI research from Mark Stevens.
- •McQuiston has worked in NFL and college football analytics.
- •Chad Bowden will oversee McQuiston's role as general manager.
- •USC opens the 2026 season against San Jose State on August 29.
- 12:05 AMYahoo Sports — USC Creates First-Ever Director of AI Role in Controversial Move
- 6:00 PMYahoo Sports — USC hiring Director of AI for Lincoln Riley's football staff: Reports
- 3:24 PMYahoo Sports — USC football, Lincoln Riley hiring first-of-its-kind director of AI
"The University of Southern California has made college football history, hiring the first-ever Director of Artificial Intelligence. The post USC Creates First-Ever Director of AI Role in Controversial Move appeared first on LA Sports Report.
"Southern California received a $200 million gift to assist with artificial Intelligence research. Now, it's football program is naming a head of AI.
"This would be the first known hiring of its kind in college sports.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 12, 2026, 12:05 AMUSC Creates First-Ever Director of AI Role in Controversial Move
The University of Southern California has made college football history, hiring the first-ever Director of Artificial Intelligence. The post USC Creates First-Ever Director of AI Role in Controversial Move appeared first on LA Sports Report.
- Yahoo SportsJun 10, 2026, 6:00 PMUSC hiring Director of AI for Lincoln Riley's football staff: Reports
This would be the first known hiring of its kind in college sports.
- Yahoo SportsJun 10, 2026, 3:24 PMUSC football, Lincoln Riley hiring first-of-its-kind director of AI
Southern California received a $200 million gift to assist with artificial Intelligence research. Now, it's football program is naming a head of AI.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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