The University of Southern California has made a significant hire in their athletic department. Jennifer Cohen, the current athletic director at the University of Washington, will be taking on the same role at USC, according to industry sources familiar with the decision.
Cohen will be stepping into the position previously held by Mike Bohn, who resigned in May. During her time at Washington, Cohen has been credited with making impactful hires, including football coach Kalen DeBoer, who led the team to an impressive 11-2 record and a top-10 finish in his first season.
In addition to her success at Washington, Cohen was recently named to the College Football Playoff selection committee, further solidifying her reputation as a prominent figure in college athletics.
This appointment marks a historic moment for USC as Cohen becomes the first-ever female athletic director in the university’s history. This comes after the appointment of Carol Folt as USC’s female president. Cohen will be tasked with guiding USC through their transition to the Big Ten conference in August 2024.
Maintaining a strong relationship with football coach Lincoln Riley will be a top priority for Cohen as she takes on her new role. USC’s athletic department has faced numerous controversies in recent years, so keeping the program out of negative news cycles will be crucial.
From USC’s perspective, this hire makes sense as they bring in a proven leader who has overseen success in multiple sports at Washington. Cohen’s visibility as a female leader in college athletics also adds to the significance of her appointment.
For Cohen, this move comes at an opportune time. She recently led Washington to partial membership in the Big Ten and has positioned the football program for continued success. With her younger son now off to college, Cohen is ready for a new challenge after more than two decades at Washington.
Overall, this hiring decision has significant implications for both USC and Cohen. USC gains an accomplished athletic director to lead their program through a major conference transition, while Cohen takes on the opportunity to drive one of college sports’ most prestigious brands.
(Photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)