With the second College Football Playoff title game getting set to kick off shortly on the field, the organization is taking care of some business off of it.
The CFP’s executive director, Bill Hancock, confirmed Monday that USC president Max Nikias has been named as the chairman of the CFP Board of Managers. Nikias replaces Harvey Perlman, the Nebraska chancellor who is retiring from his post at the university this summer.
Nikias will officially begin his term as chairman February 1.
“Dr. Nikias has been instrumental in the development and growth of the College Football Playoff,” said Hancock. “We appreciate his leadership and continued support. He is highly respected by his fellow presidents and chancellors and he will be an excellent chair.
“I also want to take this opportunity to thank Harvey Perlman for the time and energy he has devoted to the playoff. We have been fortunate to have been led by such talented people.
For those curious as to what the Board of Managers is responsible, the CFP wrote in the release that it “governs the College Football Playoff business, property and affairs. The board develops, reviews and approves annual budgets, policies and operating guidelines. It has authority over all aspects of the company’s operations.”
Below is the current makeup of the board, which has one representative from each of the 10 FBS conferences as well as Notre Dame:
Rodney Bennett – President, University of Southern Mississippi (C-USA)
Anthony Frank – President, Colorado State University (Mountain West)
Burns Hargis – President, Oklahoma State University (Big 12)
Jack Hawkins – Chancellor, Troy University (Sun Belt)
Rev. John Jenkins – President, University of Notre Dame (Independent)
Mark Keenum – President, Mississippi State University (SEC)
Roderick McDavis – President, Ohio University (MAC)
C. L. Max Nikias (chair) – President, University of Southern California (Pac-12)
Harvey Perlman – Chancellor, University of Nebraska (Big Ten)
John Thrasher – President, Florida State University (ACC)
Steadman Upham – President, University of Tulsa (American Athletic)