Williams Departs Big Sky to Become College Football Playoffs COO
The Big Sky is pleased to recognize Commissioner Andrea Williams on her contributions to the conference. Earlier today, Williams was named as the College Football Playoff’s Chief Operating Officer. In her role with the CFP, she will be primarily responsible for managing the national championship game. Williams will also be the primary liaison with the six participating bowl games and championship game site selection.
“Ms. Williams has been an outstanding commissioner for the Big Sky and will be greatly missed,” Presidents’ Council Chair Robert Nelsen had to say. “But we know that she will be a tremendous asset for the College Football Playoff, taking the playoffs to even greater heights.”
Williams departs for Dallas, Texas after spending two years at the helm of the Big Sky Conference. While commissioner, the Big Sky experienced several important milestones. Those include the renegotiation of the Root Sports TV contract, addition of Eleven Sports and Pluto TV media partners, the basketball championships move to Boise, membership into the Western Officiating Consortium, North Dakota conference realignment, adoption of a new league funding model and the Big Sky’s Serious Misconduct Rule.
“Words cannot begin to express my gratitude to the Big Sky Conference,” said Williams. “Since joining the league in 2016, the experience has exceeded every expectation both professionally and personally. The leadership of our presidents, administrators, faculty and coaches set the expectation of what it means to work in college athletics. A special thank you to the student-athletes who embody how to excel in the classroom and in competition – that display poise, humility and confidence. You are our future leaders and we are in good hands.”
Prior to joining the Big Sky, Williams spent time at the Big Ten Conference, NCAA and Southern Conference. She serves on a number of national committees including the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Board, John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation, NCAA Sexual Assault Prevention Commission and NACDA FCS Athletic Director of the Year Selection committee. Williams graduated from Texas A&M University where she was a two-sport student-athlete and also earned her Master’s in Sport Management from Ohio University.
We wish Commissioner Williams the best and much continued success.