Former UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero, who retired six years ago, finds himself actively engaged in college athletics, a landscape dramatically altered by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and player mobility.
Guerrero, 74, described the current state of college athletics as a "different phenomenon," noting that some college football rosters now exceed $40 million in NIL and revenue sharing. Players have more freedom to transfer between institutions, and the increased potential for litigation adds another layer of complexity.
"It’s very hard for them to put their arms around what’s happening right now and they’re struggling in so many respects," Guerrero told the California Post, reflecting on changes he began to foresee late in his career. "I didn’t expect they would be to this degree this soon, but it’s happened and everyone has to adapt and adjust to the reality, like it or not."
Despite the turmoil, Guerrero advises colleagues to remember the fundamental reasons student-athletes choose a school: its academic offerings, coaching staff, and campus experience, particularly for those outside major revenue sports.
"You have to hold onto that," Guerrero stated. "Because we got into this thing because we wanted to provide access and opportunity for student-athletes to pursue their aspirations and their dreams and still do that. It’s a different environment for sure, but fundamentally, all of that is still the same."
Continued Involvement in Sports and Beyond
Even in retirement, Guerrero remains a significant figure in collegiate sports. He is a partner in the sports practice group of DHR Global, an executive search firm that assisted in the hiring of Purdue athletic director Tommy McClelland. He also serves as president of UniUSA, the governing body for U.S. global university sports, and sits on the board of directors for the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, among other organizations.
Guerrero acknowledged that his retirement activities might seem extensive for someone who is supposed to be relaxing. "I think I’m failing retirement in a lot of ways," he said, "but that’s a good thing. … The things on my calendar are the things that I want to do."
During his 18-year tenure as UCLA's athletic director, the Bruins secured 32 NCAA championships across 15 sports. He was inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021.
He remains connected to UCLA, occasionally attending games when his schedule permits. Several coaches he hired, including men's basketball coach Mick Cronin and women's basketball coach Cori Close, continue with the university. Guerrero recalled advising Close to be patient when she took over the women's basketball program, comparing the process to building a house floor by floor rather than going straight to the penthouse. Close's team won the program's first NCAA title in April, a moment Guerrero witnessed firsthand.
"I was like a proud papa in many respects watching her," Guerrero said, expressing confidence in Cronin's ability to achieve similar success despite the challenges posed by current NIL and transfer portal dynamics.
Personal Connections and Legacy
Guerrero's retirement also allows for ample family time and travel, including annual trips to Nettuno, Italy, where he played professional baseball after graduating from UCLA. His connection to UCLA is deeply personal, stemming from his father's explanation of Jackie Robinson's impact and the university's ethos: "UCLA is a university for the people."
This sentiment resonated with Guerrero, especially after receiving a baseball scholarship from UCLA and later returning to serve as athletic director. In 2018, he underwent successful treatment for squamous cell carcinoma at the UCLA Medical Center, further solidifying his bond with the institution.
"What can I say," he reflected, "about how blessed I am to have had that happen to me over my life?"