Since the College Football Playoff format began in 2014, the selection committee has elected a public-facing chairperson tasked with explaining the reasoning behind the playoff rankings. Last year, Boo Corrigan became the face of the College Football Playoff, taking on an unenviable role approaching that of villain.
Yet, Corrigan is more than just a focal point for the questions of college football journalists and the ire of college football fans. The College Football Playoff Selection Committee chairperson has a rich college athletics heritage and bloodline in the sport.
Who is Boo Corrigan? Behind the Current Face of the College Football Playoff
Eugene “Boo” Corrigan is the current College Football Playoff Selection Committee chairperson, holding that role since taking over from Gary Barta in January 2022. Under the terms of his agreement with the College Football Playoff, he will hold that role until February 2024, serving a two-year service with the committee.
MORE: Who Is On the College Football Playoff Selection Committee?
However, alongside his duty as the chairperson of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee, Corrigan is a highly successful athletic director with a rich history in college athletics that matches the committee protocol that states members should be football experts tasked with upholding and working towards the guiding principles that decide the CFB Playoff rankings.
The Notre Dame graduate got his first full-time posting as an athletic director at Army in 2011. During his time at West Point, the Black Knights won three consecutive bowl games for the first time in program history. Meanwhile, Army earned the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy in back-to-back years — also for the first time in program history.
Corrigan helped establish an era of exceptionalism, receiving the “Athletic Director of the Year” award in 2017.
Unsurprisingly, Corrigan became a sought-after commodity for any Power Five program with an athletic director opening. As a result, in 2019 he left West Point and the Black Knights behind him and became the AD for the North Carolina Wolfpack.
“In Boo we have found a very successful leader who puts student-athletes first, builds strong relationships both internally and externally, and is committed to the development of coaches and staff to achieve at a very high level,” Chancellor Randy Woodson expressed in a statement announcing his appointment.
“I could not be more excited about the future of NC State Athletics,” Woodson continued.
Although the Wolfpack have yet to reach the same levels of success as Army teams enjoyed during Corrigan’s tenure, his impact has been felt across the sporting arena at NC State.
In 2021, the women’s cross country team won the NCAA National Championship. Five different sports teams ranked in the top four of their respective polls in that same year. He was named the “Athletic Director of the Year” for the second time in his career in March 2022.
MORE: What is the College Football Playoff Selection Committee?
Coming to NC State gave an element of symmetry to Corrigan and his sporting story. The Wolfpack are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference that his dad — Gene Corrigan — was the commissioner of from 1987-1995. The senior Corrigan was also the NCAA president from 1995-1997.
Boo Corrigan Résumé
- Navy (associate athletic director, 2002-2004)
- Notre Dame (associate athletic director, 2004-2008)
- Duke (associate athletic director, 2008-2011
- Army (athletic director, 2011-2019)
- NC State (athletic director, 2019-2023)
- College Football Playoff Selection Committee (chair person, 2022-2023)
In addition to the above postings, Corrigan also spent time as the assistant director of marketing at Florida State, according to his bio on the College Football Playoff website.