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College football writer Ivan Maisel will not be on the Notre Dame campus this week for a previously schedule book signing. His host has cancelled his visit seemingly due to his affiliation with the College Football Playoff.
Maisel was a member of the 2025 selection committee, which left the Fighting Irish out of the 12-team postseason event. The book signing snub appears retaliation for the team’s omission.
Maisel wrote a book called, “American Coach: The Triumph and Tragedy of Notre Dame Legend Frank Leahy,” which brings the memory of the former Fighting Irish football player and coach back to life, “based on rare and complete access to Fighting Irish football historical archives and the Leahy family.”
He was scheduled for an appearance on the Notre Dame campus this week. It will no longer happen.
Notre Dame bookstore snubs Ivan Maisel.
Just called @HammesNotreDame bookstore to get info on @Ivan_Maisel appearance Friday for his terrific Frank Leahy book. They said event postponed “bc of series of events.” C’mon ND, you’re better than that. Don’t penalize an author (of an ND book) for being on CFP committee. 1/2
— Gene Wojciechowski (@Geno_Woj) December 10, 2025
“I’m disappointed,” Ivan told Matt Fortuna of The Inside Zone. “I look forward to hearing people out and talking about my book.”
Fortuna explains that the previously scheduled meet-up has been pushed to the spring.
The reasoning? Many believe it is due to Maisel’s status as a College Football Playoff committee member. That same committee left Notre Dame out of the postseason event, removing national championship hopes.
The Irish were ranked ahead of Miami in each poll released up through Selection Sunday. Despite neither team playing on championship weekend, the Hurricanes jumped Notre Dame in the final release.
It allowed Miami to secure the last at-large bid. The Irish were the first team left out.
Since, the school has spoken publicly on a “permanently damaged” relationship with the ACC, while pulling out of a bowl game invite to stick it to ESPN.
Maisel also has a past professional relationship with the network.
The surprise cancellation appears directly linked to the CFP snub, though the bookstore simply cited a “series of events” in its reasoning for the postponement.
Maisel will have to wait until next year to make his visit to South Bend. Hopefully, the sting of the playoff omission has worn off by then.