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Dennis Dodd
SportsLine.com Senior Writer

50 most relevant people in college football

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Over the course of the week, culminating with No. 1 on July 19, we will reveal (Trading Spaces-style) the top 50 Most Relevant Persons this year in college football.

This isn't necessarily about who is most popular or most powerful. It's the 50 people that will have the biggest impact on the 2004 season.

Top 50
Nos. 2-10
Nos. 11-20
Nos. 21-30
Nos. 31-40
Nos. 41-50

At least one player and a coach on our list might never see the field this year. (No hints. We'll let you figure it out.)

There are also the usual suspects. Consider the list a little something you can take to the pool to pass the time. Sun blockers meets pass blockers. We welcome your feedback along the way. Not that you'll need any prodding. Please, send us your lists.

Nos. 40-31
40. Kevin Weiberg, Big 12 Commissioner
Kevin Weiberg
Weiberg is The Gentleman Commissioner. A calm, thoughtful demeanor makes Weiberg not just another BCS coordinator. He has less emotion than his BCS predecessor, Mike Tranghese, and less arrogance than his former boss, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany. Under Weiberg, the Big 12 has become No. 2 in revenue behind the SEC. In the past year, Weiberg has had to deal with the basketball scandals at Iowa State, reap the benefits of the conference's second Heisman Trophy and deal with an NCAA investigation involving Missouri basketball. It's not all roses (or even Fiestas) all the time, but Weiberg's quiet leadership makes it seem as if all is well.
39. Joe Castiglione, Oklahoma Athletic Director
Joe Castiglione
Castiglione is one of the few administrators who can unite, coaches, fans, donors and administrators. It doesn't hurt if your football team is beating the snot out of everybody, either. Castiglione deserves to be on this list if for no other reason than identifying, then hiring, Bob Stoops quickly in December 1998. That kept Stoops out of Iowa's hands and changed the face of college football since then.
38. David Pollack, Georgia Defensive End
David Pollack
Watch for the double teams to be less frequent. The return of end Will Thompson will make opponents choose who to concentrate on. Pollack, a light end at 230, is a two-time All-American who is six sacks away from the school record.
37. Joe Tiller, Purdue Coach
Joe Tiller
The Man Who Brought the Forward Pass to the Big Ten continues to impress. Without a high-octane offense, Tiller was able to adapt last year and win nine games mostly with defense. This year quarterback, Kyle Orton (seven interceptions in 414 throws), is the Big Ten's best quarterback. More than anything, football has become the dominant sport at Purdue as Gene Keady walks into the sunset.
36. David Greene, Georgia Quarterback
David Greene
After an "off" year during which he threw for 3,300 yards and 13 touchdowns, Greene is being mentioned for the Heisman again. He spent most of last season dodging rushers (an SEC-high 47 sacks allowed by Georgia) and threw 11 interceptions. But four of five starters are back on the line. The receiving corps is deep. A go-to guy should emerge among tailbacks Kregg Lumpkin and Michael Cooper. In summary, Greene can't help but he better. He has never had a better surrounding cast.
35. Tom Condon, Agent
Tom Condon
Arguably the most powerful agent in sports. The majority of Condon's International Management Group clients are NFL players. Because of his leverage position, Condon, based in Kansas City and head of IMG Football, basically controls "slotting" of first-round signees. Condon prefers to operate out of the limelight because, well, he can. A piece of advice for players on this list: If Condon calls, pick up now!
34. Corey Webster, LSU Cornerback
Corey Webster
Webster is Deion Sanders without the flash. The steady, shut-down corner is a big reason LSU was able to share the national championship. He locked up on Oklahoma's Mark Clayton in the Sugar Bowl, arguably providing the difference in a 21-14 victory. Going into this season, he is the best corner in the country. The 2003 All-American needs eight interceptions (he has 14) to set the school career record. Webster was NFL-ready as a junior but chose to return, which is bad news for the rest of the SEC -- and the country.
33. Brad Smith, Missouri Quarterback
Brad Smith
Missouri hasn't won at least a share of a conference title since 1969. Its best Heisman finish was No. 3 with Paul Chrisman in 1939. Smith is the best hope to change that history. He's the best run-pass quarterback since Michael Vick became the second player in NCAA history to throw for 2,000 yards and run for 1,000 as a freshman. He missed, by 23 passing yards, duplicating that feat last year. Smith loses his best runner (Zack Abron) and a lot of the offensive line, but coach Gary Pinkel knows his program rests on the arm and legs of his quarterback.
32. DeLoss Dodds, Texas Athletic Director
DeLoss Dodds
The head of one of the largest athletic departments in the country rules with an iron glove. New coaches are quickly made to understand that they must win and win big. That's why the recent loss in the College World Series was unacceptable. It's also why Mack Brown still has some rope left despite all those losses to Oklahoma. Hidden under those failures is one of the best eras in Texas football history. Brown wins 77 percent of his games. Texas is one of only five schools to win at least 10 each of the past three years. Six top 25 finishes in a row are the most since 1975. That will keep Dodds happy no matter what the Sooners do in October. Besides, Sooner or later, the Horns will break through.
31. Tom Hansen, Pac-10 Commissioner
Tom Hansen
Hansen proves that good guys can get things done too. How many commissioners can you converse with by e-mail? How many will go out of their way to shake your hand? When Hansen arrived, the Pac-10 was only 5 years old (it expanded in 1978), John Elway had just left Stanford and women's sports were underfunded. Now the league features some of the most broad-based athletic programs in the country. Even though USC is currently on top, football parity in the Pac-10 is better than in any other conference. Hey, what did you expect of a former sportswriter?

Coming Wednesday: Nos. 30 through 21.

About Dennis Dodd
author photoAnyone in need of a credential from all the BCS title games? Dennis Dodd has them. In three decades in the business, he's covered everything from the Olympics to Stanley Cup to conference realignment. Just get him on campus in a press box in the fall. His heart lies with college football.
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