CFP chair Warde Manuel discusses the end of his tenure and the future of the playoff

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel watches in the second half of an NCAA college football game against UNLV in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept.

9, 2023.

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya) Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Warde Manuel has become so well-known of late that hes been named Brother Martins Alumnus of the Year and is even appearing on billboards around the New Orleans area.

Thats what being chairman, and thus the face, of the College Football Playoff selection committee and appearing weekly on ESPN to explain the rankings will do for your notoriety even though the Class of '86 Golden Crusader has already made his mark as athletic director at Michigan, his college alma mater, and before that at Buffalo and UConn.

But that pales in comparison to his unpaid, part time gig.

"It was one of the most exceptional experiences that Ive had in my career," said Manuel, whose three-year term on the committee ended with the playoff bracket reveal earlier this month.

"Youre one of 13 working to rank the best 25 teams in the country.

"Everyone in the room wants to make sure we get it right for college football." With his time on the committee ended unlike its counterparts in other sports the group does not participate in policy decisions or administering the playoff games themselves and the CFP starting with Fridays first-round game between Indiana and Notre Dame, Manuel talked to Times-Picayune contributor Ted Lewis about the experience.

However, he did defer questions about issues such as playoff expansion, the seeding process and whether on-campus playoff games should be extended through the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds when the new setup begins in 2026: With an almost-50 percent turnover in membership and selecting 12 teams instead of four, was the committees work more difficult this year than in your first-two on it? Manuel: Not more difficult.

New members adjusted well to the process.

We had two meetings one in March and another in August as a committee and went through a mock-selection in September for the meetings that began in November.

Explaining the early rankings reveals in the weeks leading up to the final ones has always seemed difficult regardless of who was chairman.

Did you find that to be true, and do you think the reveals serve a useful purpose even if they can sometimes be confusing? Manuel: The reveals are a part of the process that the commissioners put in place with ESPN.

I didnt find that it was difficult explaining the committees decisions.

I think there was more conversation about it because more teams were in the mix for the 12-team playoff.

That added more interest.

Although as youve said you dont like making comments on some specific CFP issues, it seems likely that you have been asked your opinions about the process by the commissioners and the staff, especially since you are also a high-profile athletic director.

Is that so? Manuel: I will share my thoughts in private to them and support any decision that the commissioners make.

How would you rank Rich Clarks first year as the CFPs executive director? Manuel: Outstanding.

He was a tremendous asset to me as the chair and he and the staff were very supportive to all 13 members of the committee.

It was what you would expect of a former three-star general.

He is a brilliant leader and extremely thoughtful.

Lastly, he is wonderful at engaging and connecting with people.

The commissioners are meeting in Atlanta in January at the site and time of the championship game, where its expected they will make some of the major decisions about the CFPs future.

Given the controversy about the seeding setup and the desire on many fronts to expand to 14 or even 16 teams in 2026, do you think one round of games is enough to give a clear picture of the best path forward? Manuel: Its too soon to say its broken.

I think, lets not rush it.

Lets see how another iteration goes, and if the commissioners decide to change, then its up to them.

Putting on your AD cap, do you see college footballs power conferences eventually being reorganized into an NFL-like setup with equalized scheduling, etc.? Manuel: Since I dont have a crystal ball Im not sure.

But college sports is dealing with a lot off the field (revenue sharing, portal, NIL, realignment, etc.) matters and will continue to do so.

College football also will continue to be very popular, but we have to continue to focus on the success of the game and the connections to our student-athletes and the fans.

That being said, there are changes in all of college sports, and especially football, that couldnt have been seen a decade ago.

You are the athletic director at one of the most tradition-minded schools in the country.

Are you worried about the direction things are going? Manuel: One of the defining strengths of college football lies in its rich traditions upheld by each school, the century-old rivalries, that fuel passionate competition and the deep connection to come of the worlds leading academic institutions.

As we contemplate the idea of "professionalizing" college sports, it is crucial that we safeguard those vital elements to the unique and cherished nature of college football and college athletics as a whole.

You made it clear that you were not interested in extending your time on the committee.

If one of your peers was being nominated and asked for your advice about taking it, what would it be? Manuel: Without exception, I truly believe everyone who comes to the committee gives their all to prepare, debate and ultimately vote for the best 25 teams in the country.

We left it all in the room each and every week and thats what youve got to be prepared to do if you are fortunate enough to be chosen..

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