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The BCS Presidential Oversight Committee has a new chairman: University of Nebraska-Lincoln chancellor Harvey Perlman.

In other words, some would argue, Perlman just assumed a pretty important seat of power, as head of the committee that looks at the viability of playoffs, TV contracts, and the like.

The BCS just shot down a Mountain West proposal for an eight-team playoff. It was the chairman of the BCS PO committee, University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer, who delivered the vague statement explaining that any playoff suggestion “disrespect our academic calendars and they utterly lack a business plan.”

Well, a 12-game regular season helps disrupt the academic calendar. Conference title games help disrupt the academic calendar. And the playoff portion of Division I, filled with many excellent academic schools, manage to graduate kids despite the existence of a playoff.

The business plan argument, on the other hand…

At any rate, Perlman gets a shot at speaking for the BCS.

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It’s not quite the equivalent of the lifetime appointment, but Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne will be staying in the role “indefinitely,” NU Chancellor Harvey Perlman announced Wednesday.

Osborne was hired directly after the firing of Steve Pederson in October 2007 and his contract had been scheduled to expire in June 2010. Now, Perlman and Osborne will explore his status year-to-year.

"Tom originally agreed to come in temporarily and get the department moving in the right direction,” Perlman said. “He clearly accomplished that. I believe he now feels comfortable serving on an ongoing basis and I certainly feel comfortable having him do so.

“I am delighted that Tom has agreed to stay in harness for an indefinite period. The department faces some real challenges and opportunities as we move forward and Tom brings a breadth of experience that can serve the university well.”

Said Osborne: "I want to thank Chancellor Perlman for the opportunity to serve as athletic director for a period of time that we both feel comfortable with. I enjoy working with student-athletes, coaches, and other athletic department personnel and hope that together we can serve the people of Nebraska and the university well."

When Nebraska does choose a new athletic director, Perlman and Osborne agreed, it will be via search committee, and while Osborne would have significant input, he wouldn’t necessarily be hand-picking his successor.

Since former Nebraska linebacker Trev Alberts took the job at UNO, it has been speculated he’s the AD-in-waiting.

Perlman quashed such rumors Wednesday.

"While I think an open process is required, Tom's advice and counsel will play an important role in the ultimate selection, as will the views of our head coaches." Perlman said. "It's appropriate to publicly indicate now that an open process will be adopted in light of the speculation that there may already be a designated successor."

See also: 50 Husker Fans, 50 States - Delaware

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