Multiple reports indicate that the University of Southern California is riding to hire college football's first-ever director of artificial intelligence.
According to USA Today, which cited two people familiar with the matter, current director of analytics Conor McQuiston is expected to be named to the post Wednesday.
McQuiston has analytics experience in both the NFL and college football. He would be hired by and report directly to USC general manager Jim Bowden.
The move comes after USC trustee Mark Stevens and his wife, Mary made a $200 million investment to support AI research and education at the university.
“We know the next great universities will be those that invest in computing,” Mar Stevens said in a statement announcing the gift. “This is a key moment. I am confident that USC has the leadership and direction to run quickly and stake our position as the trailblazer.”
“USC is promoting director of analytics Conor McQuiston to director of AI, sources confirm to On3’s Pete Nakos and Wilson Alexander,” Nakos said. “He’ll be in charge of building AI models with their data to try to find advantages in everything from game plans to scouting. USA Today first reported the hire.”
McQuiston, who received his bachelor's degree in Physics and Mathematical Physics from Michigan in 2021, previously worked with Prize Picks where he served for a year (2024-2025) as an associate data scientist for game operations with a focus on the NFL. Prior to his time at Prize Picks, he spent two years at the NFL as both a lead research analyst and before that a seasonal research analyst for Next Gen Stats.
