“We will miss Pat”, said Bill Hancock, the executive director of the CFP.
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“I am reluctant to step down, but my doctors advised me to reduce my traveling”, Haden said in a statement that accompanied the announcement by Bill Hancock, executive director of the College Football Playoff.
Haden called it a “difficult decision”, but said that he felt his stepping down would benefit both the CFP and his school, noting forthcoming renovations to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and an ongoing coaching change. He told the Orange County Register in January that 2015 would be his final season serving on the selection committee, which he was also a part of in 2014. I have such high regard for the CFP process and for the committee members, who devote such time and energy to the great sport of college football. It was a pleasure to serve alongside them. Haden had a medical scare on the sideline before USC’s game against Notre Dame two weeks back. The Playoff said it will not immediately replace Haden and operate with 12 for the rest of the season.
It’s not about whether there are 12, or 13, or 50 committee members, it’s all supposed to be just one.
The selection committee is due to release their first round of rankings next Tuesday with meetings planned for the weekend to determine the order.
He’s also about to embark on a coaching search, assuming he doesn’t keep interim coach Clay Helton in the permanent role.
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Though it might actually be health concerns that are hindering Pat Haden from his Selection Committee obligations, not having a head coach is probably more important for he and USC. Haden was subsequently reprimanded and fined by the Pac-12. There are several committee members with West Coast ties that remain: Former Stanford and Washington coach Tyrone Willingham and Stanford professor Condeleezza Rice. Former West Virginia quarterback and athletic director Oliver Luck left the Committee and WVU to take a job with the NCAA.
