Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro has been appointed to the Board of Managers of the College Football Playoff, the organization charged with selecting the four programs and overseeing the semifinal and championship games.
Castro has no more sway now in whether his Bulldogs make the playoff than he did before joining the board. That role falls to the CFP’s Selection Committee, whose 13 members include directors of athletics, former head coaches, a legendary former player (Ronnie Lott), a sports journalist (Paola Boivin), and a former Army chief of staff (Ray Odierno).
Castro will represent the Mountain West Conference on the board, which has authority over all CFP operations and appointments. The board manages budgets, sets policies, and develops operation guidelines.
Castro Joins University Presidents on Board
The board is made up of university presidents of the 10 Football Bowl Subdivision conferences, plus Notre Dame. Castro replaces Tony Frank, a former president of Colorado State University who now serves as chancellor of the Colorado State University system.
“We are grateful to have President Castro join the group,” Bill Hancock, CFP executive director, said in a statement. “He is an engaging leader and a forward-thinker, and he will be a great addition.”
Castro’s appointment aligns with Fresno State’s rising football fortunes. The defending Mountain West champions were selected in a preseason poll to repeat as winners of the West Division. Last season, the Bulldogs collected 12 victories for the first time in program history, capped by a 31-20 win over Pacific-12 opponent Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl.
Fresno State is 22-6 in two seasons under head coach Jeff Tedford. The team opens the coming season Aug. 31 at Southern Cal. The first home game is Sept. 7 against Minnesota.
