Breaking News | Utah athletic director Mark Harlan to switch USC’s Jennifer Cohen on Faculty Soccer Playoff committee

Utah athletic director Mark Harlan will change new USC athletic director Jennifer Cohen on the 2023 Faculty Soccer Playoff committee, government director Invoice Hancock mentioned Monday. Cohen opted to step down with a purpose to deal with his new place, which he took in August. The primary CFP rating might be launched on October 31.

With Harlan’s addition, the committee may have one athletic director consultant from every of the 5 energy conferences. Harlan joins athletic director Warde Manuel of Michigan (Huge Ten), Gene Taylor of Kansas State (Huge 12), Mitch Barnhart of Kentucky (SEC) and Boo Corrigan of NC State (ACC), who additionally function committee chair. Let’s work

The playoff committee sometimes consists of 5 present athletic administrators from energy conferences along with a large mixture of representatives from numerous backgrounds and ranges. Different athletic administrators on the committee embody Miami (Ohio) athletic director David Saylor, Navy’s Chet Gladchuk and Virginia Union’s Joe Taylor.

“We’re delighted to have Mark be a part of the committee. His huge data and expertise as a school administrator prepares him nicely for this new function,” Hancock mentioned in a press release. “Whereas we’re sorry that Jennifer has needed to step down from the committee, we actually perceive the thrilling and difficult tasks she may have along with her new place at USC.”

Cohen was chosen as one in every of three new members to the committee in March when she was the present athletic director in Washington. At the moment, he changed Colorado athletic director Rick George because the Pac-12 consultant. Former Nevada coaches Chris Alt and Saylor had been additionally introduced as committee members with three-year phrases.

Hancock instructed reporters in Dallas final week that Cohen was unlikely to serve a full three-year time period after shifting to the soon-to-be Huge Ten establishment and would get replaced after one season. Cohen’s appointment would have been in query after the 2023 season, although Manuel is already a Huge Ten athletic director on the committee.

“This resolution was not a straightforward one, as the chance to serve on the Faculty Soccer Playoff Choice Committee is really an honor, and the committee members and CFP workers are distinctive folks,” Cohen mentioned in a press release. “Nevertheless, doing exemplary work on the committee requires an excessive amount of time, work, analysis and journey, and following this transition, it’s clear to me that now at a brand new establishment, my full focus and vitality have to be on USC athletics.” and on our student-athletes, coaches and workers. I’m assured that this resolution is in the very best pursuits of USC and CFP, and I’m grateful for the assist and understanding of Presidents Folt, Lincoln Riley and Invoice Hancock and need the committee the very best Properly accomplished within the coming months.”

Whereas Harlan will symbolize the Pac-12 in 2023, Utah will depart for the Huge 12 in 2024. In a press release, Harlan mentioned his dedication to the committee is for the 2023 season. Nevertheless, Taylor, a Huge 12 consultant, can also be within the closing 12 months of his three-year time period. This might finally open the door for Harlan to stay on the committee if the CFP group decides to retain him.

“I’m honored to serve on this essential function, and I wish to thank the CFP Administration Committee for this chance.” Harlan mentioned. “I acknowledge the significance of this committee to varsity soccer and our trade, and I stay up for becoming a member of the present committee members on this dedication for the 2023 season.”

The present state of the Pac-12 complicates the choice. At this level, Oregon State and Washington State are the one colleges that haven’t made formal plans to affix one other convention. If a brand new grant of rights is just not signed by July 1, 2024, the Pac-12 will legally stop to exist after greater than 100 years of operation.

Oregon State and Washington State have each expressed curiosity in rebuilding some model of the Pac-12. The expanded CFP contract – which features a mannequin with six convention champions and 6 at-large bids – runs via the 2025-26 season and may solely be modified by a unanimous vote of the board of managers. Notably, Washington State President Kirk Schultz sits on the board. If Oregon State and Washington State determine to proceed within the Pac-12, the CFP should determine whether or not so as to add one in every of their athletic administrators—Scott Barnes and Pat Chun, respectively—to the playoff committee as a consultant or No.

Hancock will retire from his duties as government director after the 2023-24 season. A successor is anticipated to be named to supervise a part of the CFP course of someday this fall. With the turnover, it’s unclear who will finally make these selections relating to the long-term construction of the choice committee.