Michigan Wolverines AD Warde Manuel added to College Football Playoff selection committee

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel has joined the College Football Playoff selection committee along with former longtime coach Jim Grobe, Navy athletic director Chet Gladchuk and former longtime USA Today sportswriter Kelly Whiteside, it was announced Tuesday.

NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan, who is entering his second season on the committee, will chair the 13-member group tasked with determining the four best teams in the country. He replaces Iowa athletic director Gary Barta, whose term has expired, along with committee members Paola Boivin, Charlie Cobb and Tyrone Willingham.

The CFP's management committee, which is composed of the 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick, nominated Corrigan as the committee chair. The four new members will begin three-year terms this spring.

«Chet, Jim, Warde and Kelly will be outstanding additions to the committee as we enter our ninth season,» CFP executive director Bill Hancock said. «Their expertise, knowledge and integrity, along with their love of college football, will allow them to fit right in with the returning members.»

The selection committee currently includes a mix of three former players, two former coaches, one former journalist and seven acting athletic directors. Each Power 5 conference has an athletic director on the committee, and the American Athletic Conference and Mountain West Conference are both currently represented.

Three of the athletic directors also played college football, including Manuel, Gladchuk and Colorado's Rick George, who was a four-year letterwinner at cornerback for Illinois. Grobe and Hall of Fame coach Joe Taylor also have playing experience.

Manuel, who is in his sixth year leading the Wolverines'