The College Football Playoff recently announced that Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, will assume the role of executive director following his retirement from military service in 2024.
Clark’s transition signifies the departure of a key figure from one of the United States’ military academies as the Pentagon prepares to train future officers amidst evolving warfare strategies. The successor to President Joe Biden’s nomination remains uncertain.
“I do expect to retire in June, so we have a little time to work through the process,” Clark stated in an email to Air Force Times on Wednesday.
In a statement released on Nov. 10 by the CFP, Clark expressed his honor in leading the annual college football postseason tournament, especially as it expands from four to 12 teams. “College football is an American tradition unlike any other,” he remarked. “This is an exciting time for fans and everyone involved in this great game. I’m excited to be a part of it.”
The selection process for the tournament involves a 13-member committee ranking teams from NCAA Division I football and arranging semifinal games in various bowls before determining a national champion.
“The No. 1 thing that I heard from the (search) committee was that they needed leadership,” Clark explained to the Associated Press on Monday. “They want me to not just be a leader in the day-to-day operations, but a strategic leader that not only helps develop the vision and where college football can go, but to help execute that vision once we have it.”
Clark’s background includes a notable stint as a Falcons football alumnus and coach at the Air Force Academy, where he later assumed roles as commandant of cadets and superintendent. Currently, he oversees the education and training of around 4,000 cadets annually.
Having become the first Black airman to lead the academy in September 2020, Clark has tackled various challenges during his tenure, including addressing issues of sexual harassment, integrating aspiring Space Force guardians, and preparing students for modern warfare.
Prior to his leadership at the academy, Clark served as a decorated bomber pilot, accumulating significant flight hours, including combat experience, and later held command and policymaking positions within the Air Force’s nuclear enterprise.
Mississippi State President Mark Keenum, Chair of the playoff’s Board of Managers, remarked humorously on Clark’s diverse background, suggesting it could prove valuable in navigating the complexities of college football.
