The University of Southern California announced this week that Conor McQuiston, who has been overseeing football analytics, will now serve as the school's inaugural director of Artificial Intelligence, a newly created role that marks the first AI‑focused position in college football.
McQuiston comes to the role after years of shaping data‑driven strategies for the Trojans, and his promotion is part of a larger initiative to embed AI into scouting, recruiting and film analysis across the program.
The appointment follows a $200 million donation that the university received last month to accelerate AI research, a fund that will support new hires and expand the analytics department.
AI’s expanding footprint on the field
While AI is already being used for player evaluation and graphic generation, USC’s leadership believes the technology could eventually reshape how teams strategize and execute on game day, a vision underscored by the presence of Connor Killian, the team’s director of game management.
The university says the new director will work alongside existing staff to hire additional analysts, ensuring that the program stays at the cutting edge of sports technology.