USC AD Pat Haden leaves playoff committee, cites health

Associated Press

IRVING, Texas

Southern California athletic director Pat Haden is stepping down from the College Football Playoff selection committee after his doctors advised him to cut back on travel.

College Football Playoff Executive Director Bill Hancock announced Friday that Haden was leaving the committee and would not be replaced. The committee will have 12 members for the rest of the season.

The committee is scheduled to meet in North Texas this weekend to produce its first rankings of the season. The playoff rankings will be released Tuesday.

Haden said in a statement he was reluctant to step down.

Two weeks ago, Haden had to leave USC’s game at Notre Dame because he was feeling lightheaded.

Haden was in the second year of a two-year term on the committee and scheduled to be replaced after this season.