Pat Haden has stepped down from the College Football Playoff selection committee.

The announcement comes five days before the committee announces its first rankings.

Haden is the athletic director at the University of Southern California. He says his doctor has advised him to cut down on his traveling for health reasons. Haden is also looking for USC’s next football coach.

“I am reluctant to step down, but my doctors advised me to reduce my traveling,” Haden said in a statement. “With the weekly CFP meetings about to start and the travel commitment involved, I had to make this difficult decision. I feel it is in the best interest of the CFP and also of USC, with our current football coaching change and our upcoming Coliseum renovation.”

“It was an honor to serve on the College Football Playoff Selection Committee,” he added. “I have such high regard for the CFP process and for the committee members, who devote such time and energy to the great sport of college football. It was a pleasure to serve alongside them. I want to thank the committee members, as well as CFP executive director Bill Hancock and his staff. They all do wonderful work.”

This was Haden’s second year of a two-year term on the CFP selection committee.

“We will miss Pat,” CFP executive director Bill Hancock said. “He knows and loves college football and brought excellent insight to the process, but we all understand.”

Haden’s spot on the committee will not be filled this year. The committee will have 12 members for the rest of the season. The committee will release its first rankings on Tuesday, and will issue rankings each Tuesday until the four playoff teams are named on Dec. 6.

Haden has been the athletic director at USC since 2010. He played quarterback at USC from 1971-74 and with the Los Angeles Rams from 1976-81.