Swarbrick has navigated Notre Dame through some choppy water

The Rev. John Jenkins, the university president, thought the school needed an experienced athletic director because the position is complicated by its independence in football, its contract with NBC and its status in college athletics.

Swarbrick talked at his introductory news conference about massive changes coming for athletics, and the need to navigate the reshaping of conferences and any reformation of the BCS.

While schools scrambled to get into Power Five conferences, he landed the Fighting Irish in the ACC and gained valuable bowl tie-ins.

The Stanford law school grad also ended Notre Dame's 17-year relationship with adidas in 2014, signing a 10-year deal with Under Armor worth a reported $90 million.

Despite the protest of some alumni, he approved artificial turf in the revered stadium that next season also will have a video board.

Critics of Swarbrick will point out that the Irish haven't won a national championship in football during his tenure, with the last title coming in 1988.

Swarbrick said while he wants to see Notre Dame win a national championship in football as well as in every other sport, his main concern is making sure students and coaches have the resources to compete at that level.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly describes Swarbrick as a supportive boss who attends practice regularly and understands the challenges he faces.

Because he has to eventually be my advocate, whether it be running interference or helping me achieve the goals to keep moving the program forward, he takes the time to do that.