Former Nebraska, Oregon State coach Mike Riley named to CFP selection committee

Long-tenured football coach Mike Riley is replacing Pat Chun as a member of the College Football Playoff selection committee, the CFP announced on Friday. Chun is stepping down after leaving his job as the Washington State athletic director to take on the same role at Washington.

Chun was holding a seat originally assigned to represent the Pac-12, which has since dissolved. With Chun taking a job with a soon-to-be Big Ten school, he stepped down from his role on the CFP selection committee, which is filling the seat as an at-large.

“We are pleased to have Mike join the committee,” CFP executive director Bill Hancock said in a release announcing the move. “He has significant experience as a player and coach, and he loves college football. He will bring a unique perspective to the committee. Plus, he is a delightful human being.”

Riley, who last coached in the USFL, has previously coached Nebraska and Oregon State. He’s also coached in the NFL and in various other professional leagues.

Riley played college football at Alabama.

The selection committee will have a new chair this upcoming season

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel will serve as the chair of the College Football Playoff selection committee in 2024, the CFP announced on Thursday. The CFP also announced a number of new members on the selection committee going forward.

Manuel is stepping in for outgoing selection committee chair, NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan. Corrigan served as the selection committee chair for the past two seasons, but has finished his three-year term on the committee.

“We are delighted that Warde will serve as chair,” outgoing CFP executive director Bill Hancock said in a release announcing the move. “He has been a valuable member of the committee last two years and that experience will serve him well in leading the group. As a former student-athlete, he will also be a good spokesperson to let fans know how the committee reached its rankings.”

Manuel will be chairing the committee — and therefore serve as it’s public voice — during a time of big change for the CFP, as the event moves from four teams to 12 in the 2024-25 season. Manuel is entering his third and final year on the CFP selection committee.

“My first two years on the committee have been a great experience,” Manuel said in the release. “I have so much respect for the time and effort each committee member puts in each week because of their commitment to the game. I’m honored to be asked to serve as committee chair.”

The other six new members of the CFP selection committee at the time were Washington State AD Patrick Chun, former Arizona State defensive lineman Randall McDaniel, former Toledo and Missouri coach Gary Pinkel, Baylor AD Mack Rhoades, Virginia AD Carla Williams and Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek.

Former Nebraska lineman Will Shields also had his term extended for an additional year.