Dr. Max Nikias, 63, USC President
Last year’s rank: unranked
Dr. Nikias, who approves all coaching hires at USC and was responsible for replacing Pat Haden with new athletic director Lynn Swann, has made obvious his interest in improving USC athletics during his six-year tenure. He is also chairman of the College Football Playoff Board of Managers, a group of 11 college presidents who govern the entity’s business affairs.
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