A Notre Dame graduate, Swarbrick was hired to replace Kevin White -- who became athletic director at Duke on June 1.

"We looked closely at some 30 potential candidates," said Rev. John Jenkins, president of the school. "I am confident that Jack Swarbrick will be a superb athletics director for Notre Dame. I am delighted that he has accepted our offer and look forward to working closely with him."

Swarbrick, partner in an Indianapolis law firm, has never worked in collegiate athletic administration. He was an active participant, however, in the successful attempts by the city of Indianapolis to land the NCAA national headquarters and the 2012 Super Bowl.