Per a report from Matt Hayes of the Sporting News, the selection committee for the College Football Playoff will feature athletic directors. There's been speculation for months about who would be on the committee — retired administrators, members of the media, former players? Now we have an answer:
Source: New #CFP will use current athletic directors on selection committee. Story soon @sportingnews
— Matt Hayes (@Matt_HayesSN) July 17, 2013
Hayes reports that one AD from each of the five power conferences, plus former coaches and players and possibly former media members could also be included in the process.
The first thought is ADs will let biases creep in. But don't forget, the NCAA Tournament uses the same selection process. For the basketball tournament, athletic directors must leave the room when their school is discussed. The same rule will apply to college football's "Winter Madness."
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith chaired the NCAA Selection Committee in 2011 and while he enjoyed the process, it's also a tiring endeavor that took him away from his day-to-day job. He's indicated that he has no interest in being on the College Football Playoff selection committee. When contacted by Eleven Warriors about whether he will be part of the selection process, he said, "No clue."
