Michigan AD Warde Manuel selected as new chairman of College Football Playoff selection committee
University of Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel has been appointed to the College Football Playoff chairperson position, according to a media release from the CFP on Thursday afternoon. Manuel replaces NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan, who held down the role the last two seasons.
Manuel, who has been on the committee for the last two seasons, will be the front-facing leader of the CFP selection committee, which will select a 12-team field next year for the first time.
“We are delighted that Warde will serve as chair,” Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP said. “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.”
“My first two years on the committee have been a great experience,” Manuel said. “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.”
Manuel will lead the weekly meetings this fall in addition to being the prominent voice that speaks on the record about the CFP’s selection process each week. This season, the playoff field will be comprised of the five highest-ranked conference title winners and the next seven highest-ranked programs. The four top seeds will earn a first-round bye, while the first week of matchups will be held at campus sites with the higher team hosting.
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Manuel is in his eighth year at Michigan and has had a busy few months, participating on the CFP committee in addition to handling dual NCAA investigations in Ann Arbor. He stated he had been working on a contract extension for Jim Harbaugh that would make him the highest-paid coach in college football coming off of a 15-0 season and CFP national title win. Harbaugh ultimately left for the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL, signing a five-year deal worth a reported $16 million per year. Sherrone Moore was promoted to head coach on Jan. 26 and is in the process of filling out his staff.
Michigan plays a loaded schedule in 2024 with games against Texas, Washington, USC, Oregon and Ohio State on the docket, which could either bolster or break the team’s bid at repeating as a national champion. Now, we know that Manuel will lead the committee that decides Michigan and the rest of the country’s fate.
Other new members of the committee include Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, former Toledo and Missouri coach Gary Pinkel, Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades, Virginia athletic director Carla Williams, and Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek.
The new members begin three-year terms this spring.
