Report: College Football Playoff hires search firm as part of process to replace Bill Hancock

The College Football Playoff has taken a big step in its search to replace executive director Bill Hancock. Parker Executive Search Firm has been tapped to help with the process, Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported Friday night.

Parker Executive Search Firm has helped with other high-profile searches, including currently working with Washington to replace outgoing athletic director Jen Cohen. USC also used the Atlanta-based firm when it eventually hired Cohen away.

Hancock recently announced his retirement as the executive director of the CFP, a role he’s held since it replaced the BCS in 2014 and will hold through the 2023-24 season. His contract is set to expire Feb. 1, 2025, but Dellenger said the goal is to make a hire by the time this year’s games start.

“My time at the CFP has been a dream come true,” Hancock said in a statement. “I cherish what I do and the folks I get to work with. And I do love college football. Now I will run through the tape, as the track coaches say, and then I will enjoy whatever next steps are waiting for Nicki and me.”

Mississippi State president and chairman of the College Football Playoff board of managers Mark E. Keenum also commented on Hancock’s decision. He acknowledged everything the outgoing executive director did to help grow the CFP and wished him the best in his retirement.

“Everyone who is blessed to work with Bill knows he is a highly skilled administrator, strong leader and truly good person. He’s a legend in college sports,” Keenum said. “We were sorry when Bill told us about his and Nicki’s decision, but we are so grateful for his service in getting the CFP started and carrying it through the first nine years—10 after next year.”

The CFP is preparing to undergo major changes after this season. Since its debut in 2014, four teams have made the field. Now, it will grow to 12 teams after reaching an agreement with the bowl games, including the Rose Bowl. The committee initially announced the format would include the six highest-ranked conference champions along with six at-large bids.

However, a lot has changed since that announcement. The Pac-12 is down to just two teams for 2024, meaning the makeup could change. The committee met last month to discuss the future of the 12-team field, but Hancock said despite “cordial” talks, it’s still unclear if anything will change until the “dust settles.”