🏈 Ronnie Lott: Playoff Committee Is Trying to

[bama alum]

Bama proof the playoffs like golf courses used to try to Tiger proof themselves.

Ronnie Lott has now been added to the committee. Because he's not a paid employee of USC, he will not have to recuse himself in a situation that involves USC. Of course, the simple solution is for Bama to just win. But what if...? No, it's not a strong possibility; I certainly wouldn't put money on it, but still...

What does Ronnie Lott on CFP Selection Committee mean for USC?

What does Ronnie Lott on CFP Selection Committee mean for USC?
by Alicia de Artola3 hours agoFollow @PenguinOfTroy

Will former USC star Ronnie Lott have to recuse himself from voting for the Trojans as a member of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee?
NFL DRAFT: Who's Leaving USC Early?
Former USC All-American and NFL star Ronnie Lott was added to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee on Wednesday, opening the door for some interesting debate, mostly around whether or not he would be expected to recuse himself from votes which involved USC.
Former USC athletic director Pat Haden was recused from voting for the Trojans while on the committee, but his circumstances were much more straight forward as an employee of the university.

Lott is not a USC employee and the selection committee’s recusal policy doesn’t explicitly bar alumni from voting for their alma mater. The policy is as follows:

If a committee member or an immediate family member, e.g., spouse, sibling or child, (a) is compensated by a school, (b) provides professional services for a school, or (c) is on the coaching staff or administrative staff at a school or is a football student-athlete at a school, that member will be recused. Such compensation shall include not only direct employment, but also current paid consulting arrangements, deferred compensation (e.g., contract payments continuing after employment has ended) or other benefits.​

That’s why Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith, Clemson AD Dan Radakovich and former head coach Frank Beamer, whose son is on Georgia’s staff, were forced to recuse themselves from the final vote for the 2017 playoff. The former two get direct compensation from the Buckeyes and Tigers, while the latter’s son gets compensation from the Bulldogs.
However, former Stanford, Notre Dame and Washington head coach Tyrone Willingham was not required to recuse himself from voting for any of his former three employers during his time on the committee because he was not being compensated or providing professional services for them at the the time.
In 2016 and 2017, he was recused from votes involving Stanford and Duke, but not Washington or Notre Dame, because he has children working for the Cardinal and the Blue Devils.

Lott’s connection to USC is undeniable, but it’s not clear if he has any direct financial ties to the school at this moment. If he doesn’t, he may be allowed to participate in voting which involves the Trojans.
However, the committee does have the option to add recusals for other special reasons as they come up. Lott’s deep association with USC could be given as a valid enough reason to require recusal.
If he is allowed to vote, Lott will have to walk a tightrope to avoid any appearance of bias. And potential over-corrections on his part could ultimately harm the Trojans. In that sense, recusal may in fact be the best option, whether or not it is technically required.
TRENDING: USC’s Loss of Five-Star Stud is ASU’s Gain
Either way, Lott’s presence is a positive for the committee, as an advocate for west coast football and a former player who understands the game inside and out.
UPDATE: Per Joey Kaufman of the OC Register, Bill Hancock, the executive director of the College Football Playoff, confirmed Lott will not have to recuse himself from voting for USC as a member of the selection committee as he is not currently employed or receiving compensation from the university.

 

[#80]

He should be treated as if he works or worked for USC.

 

[TerryP]

He's knows football.

 

[rick4bama]

His a USC man, he will in his heart vote on USC.

 

[Tidestalker]

If Bama ever loses out on a marginal opportunity they'll have to chalk it up to the game... Cause so far, CNS has gotten a mighty fair whistle

 

[OldPlayer]

Change the word "is" to "was" and it's done. I'm sure Ronnie has been compensated by USC for various appearances and booster activity.

 

[Che Boludo]

Bama proof the playoffs like golf courses used to try to Tiger proof themselves.

Ronnie Lott has now been added to the committee. Because he's not a paid employee of USC, he will not have to recuse himself in a situation that involves USC. Of course, the simple solution is for Bama to just win. But what if...? No, it's not a strong possibility; I certainly wouldn't put money on it, but still...

What does Ronnie Lott on CFP Selection Committee mean for USC?

What does Ronnie Lott on CFP Selection Committee mean for USC?
by Alicia de Artola3 hours agoFollow @PenguinOfTroy

Will former USC star Ronnie Lott have to recuse himself from voting for the Trojans as a member of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee?
NFL DRAFT: Who's Leaving USC Early?
Former USC All-American and NFL star Ronnie Lott was added to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee on Wednesday, opening the door for some interesting debate, mostly around whether or not he would be expected to recuse himself from votes which involved USC.
Former USC athletic director Pat Haden was recused from voting for the Trojans while on the committee, but his circumstances were much more straight forward as an employee of the university.

Lott is not a USC employee and the selection committee’s recusal policy doesn’t explicitly bar alumni from voting for their alma mater. The policy is as follows:

If a committee member or an immediate family member, e.g., spouse, sibling or child, (a) is compensated by a school, (b) provides professional services for a school, or (c) is on the coaching staff or administrative staff at a school or is a football student-athlete at a school, that member will be recused. Such compensation shall include not only direct employment, but also current paid consulting arrangements, deferred compensation (e.g., contract payments continuing after employment has ended) or other benefits.​

That’s why Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith, Clemson AD Dan Radakovich and former head coach Frank Beamer, whose son is on Georgia’s staff, were forced to recuse themselves from the final vote for the 2017 playoff. The former two get direct compensation from the Buckeyes and Tigers, while the latter’s son gets compensation from the Bulldogs.
However, former Stanford, Notre Dame and Washington head coach Tyrone Willingham was not required to recuse himself from voting for any of his former three employers during his time on the committee because he was not being compensated or providing professional services for them at the the time.
In 2016 and 2017, he was recused from votes involving Stanford and Duke, but not Washington or Notre Dame, because he has children working for the Cardinal and the Blue Devils.

Lott’s connection to USC is undeniable, but it’s not clear if he has any direct financial ties to the school at this moment. If he doesn’t, he may be allowed to participate in voting which involves the Trojans.
However, the committee does have the option to add recusals for other special reasons as they come up. Lott’s deep association with USC could be given as a valid enough reason to require recusal.
If he is allowed to vote, Lott will have to walk a tightrope to avoid any appearance of bias. And potential over-corrections on his part could ultimately harm the Trojans. In that sense, recusal may in fact be the best option, whether or not it is technically required.
TRENDING: USC’s Loss of Five-Star Stud is ASU’s Gain
Either way, Lott’s presence is a positive for the committee, as an advocate for west coast football and a former player who understands the game inside and out.
UPDATE: Per Joey Kaufman of the OC Register, Bill Hancock, the executive director of the College Football Playoff, confirmed Lott will not have to recuse himself from voting for USC as a member of the selection committee as he is not currently employed or receiving compensation from the university.

If they're arguing 4 vs 5, it is what it is. Team has to take that away from them through on the field production.

Ua no doubt has received the benefit of the doubt and lucked out with Rice on the committee.

They know football. I have no concerns.

 

[planomateo]

Let the committee hold him accountable in those discussions.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Yea....the committee should be able to see thru bias.....

 

[TUSKtimes]

This human eye test stuff is working out great. We've come into the playoff twice ranked #1, once #2 and once #4. Nothing that I've seen has been less than what I expected. Lott is an old fashion, slobber knocker, kind of player. And I would be shocked if he valued football teams that weren't the same.

 

[TerryP]

This human eye test stuff is working out great. We've come into the playoff twice ranked #1, once #2 and once #4. Nothing that I've seen has been less than what I expected. Lott is an old fashion, slobber knocker, kind of player. And I would be shocked if he valued football teams that weren't the same.

That's how I'm seeing this addition. Which made this comment ...

Ua no doubt has received the benefit of the doubt and lucked out with Rice on the committee.

...confusing to me.

There were nine selectors on the final committee due to recusals and as I recall six of those nine were former coaches. Former coaches: the reason I was pretty comfortable going into the selections.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Need to keep more X coaches as members....most have worked at several conferences and schools...and can more closely evaluate teams.....