College Football Commissioner: Is one needed and who would be best?

There has been talk that a college football commissioner is needed in the sport. If indeed one would help the game, who would be the best choice?

The NCAA is not doing their job. That’s no secret. The Power-5 conferences were granted autonomy in certain areas to help bring some stability and unity to aspects which the NCAA had no business controlling.

But does college football need its own commissioner to oversee rules, recruiting, and the day-to-day headaches which accompany such a vast enterprise?

Given the recent developments a Baylor and the fallout from their sexual assault scandal, it’s clear more oversight is needed in crucial areas, and a commissioner who could appoint a staff of dedicated and experienced individuals would be a step in the right direction.

It certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing to have a point person at the top of the food chain in college football – a sport which arguably is more popular and brings in more revenue than some professional leagues.

The NFL has 32 teams, each with an owner or ownership group who answers to the commissioner. The NCAA has 128 Division 1 (FBS) schools, and 125 FCS programs, each with an athletic director, a school president, chancellors, boards, and countless other decision-making people – all of whom answer to…

Mark Emmert?

Yeah, a commissioner may be a step in the right direction, and even Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban agree on that point.

While the NCAA is wasting time investigating players who profit from their own image, and hunting down supposed recruiting violations with all the obsession of a vampire slayer, there is a complete lack of attention being paid to real issues going on – such as, oh I don’t know…sexual assault, maybe?

A college football commissioner could wrangle in some of the madness which goes unchecked under the ever-watchful eyes of the NCAA. By that I mean, he or she could do the job which the NCAA has forgotten they were charged with doing – protecting players, protecting students, and making sure the game is safe and fair for all.

But who would be able to lead such a massive sport? It would need to be someone with no current attachment to a program. Someone who preferably has experience as a player, coach and administrator. Someone who is known for fair play and has a background free (as much as possible) of ugly skeletons.

The list just narrowed quickly, didn’t it?

Here are a few candidates who might be worthy of such an important position.

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