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Bobby Johnson replaces Archie Manning on CFP selection committee

IRVING, TX - OCTOBER 16: A detail view of the College Football Playoff logo shown during a press conference on October 16, 2013 in Irving, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
IRVING, TX - OCTOBER 16: A detail view of the College Football Playoff logo shown during a press conference on October 16, 2013 in Irving, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

The College Football Playoff has made a change to its Selection Committee.

Executive Director Bill Hancock announced Friday that Archie Manning, who took a leave of absence from the committee last October due to health reasons, has decided not to return. To fill Manning’s place, former Vanderbilt and Furman coach Bobby Johnson has joined the committee.

Manning cited other time commitments as the main reason he won’t return.

“I was honored when I was chosen to be on the College Football Playoff Selection Committee,” Manning said in a statement. “It’s a great group of people and they did a wonderful job last year. But as I look ahead to the various commitments I have – to my family, numerous time obligations around the country and to other conflicting demands – I have concluded that I won’t be able to return to the committee.”

Manning, the father of NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, also expressed a desire to see his sons play in person.

“I particularly want to watch Peyton and Eli play, in person when I can, and it’s hard to do that when weekends are devoted to watching college games,” Manning said. “This is not an easy choice, but it’s the right choice for Olivia and me.

“The College Football Playoff is a big hit and I wish my colleagues the very best.”

Manning, the former Ole Miss and longtime NFL quarterback, initially planned to rejoin the committee for the 2015 season after undergoing a surgery “to help relieve discomfort he (was) experiencing walking and moving around.” However, he ultimately came to the decision not to return.

“Everyone on the committee is going to miss Archie,” Hancock said.  “He is an all-star and he knows college football inside and out. On the other hand, we are delighted to welcome Bobby to the committee. His extensive knowledge of the sport and his notable integrity make him a perfect member of this group.”

According to a release from the CFP, Johnson was “chosen unanimously” on a March 25 conference call.

“I have tremendous respect for the selection committee and I am honored to join the group,” Johnson said. “As a former player and coach, I’m particularly happy about the opportunity to continue to serve the game.”

Johnson, 64, played collegiately at Clemson has a wide receiver and cornerback from 1969-1972. He began his coaching career at Furman in 1976 and remained on staff as a defensive assistant until 1993, when he returned to Clemson for one season as defensive coordinator. The following year, in 1994, Johnson returned to Furman as head coach and led the program to a Division I-AA national championship appearance in 2001, his final season with the program.

Following his stint at Furman, Vanderbilt hired Johnson in December 2001. Though he only went 29-66 in his eight seasons with the program, Johnson was named 2008 SEC Coach of the Year after leading the Commodores to a 7-6 record and a win in the Music City Bowl – the program’s first bowl win in 53 years.

Johnson, who retired as Vandy head coach in July 2010, becomes the 13th member of the selection committee, which is chaired by Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long. The committee also includes  Alvarez, Mike Gould, Pat Haden, Tom Jernstedt, Oliver Luck, Tom Osborne, Dan Radakovich, Condoleezza Rice, Mike Tranghese, Steve Wieberg and Tyrone Willingham.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!