Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson announced plans Wednesday to step down after 24 years leading the conference. The one and only commissioner in the Mountain West's history, Thompson's influence during his tenure extends beyond his conference's footprint as a visible figure throughout the NCAA Division I landscape — most recently with the expansion of the College Football Playoff field from four teams to 12. 

Thompson is part of the College Football Playoff Management Committee and worked closely with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and former Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby to draw up expansion plans for college football's postseason. In his outgoing statement, Thompson cited the CFP's recently solidified expansion plans as a proud final accomplishment during his decades-long career.