College Football Playoff Selection Committee Welcomes New Members Dannen and Long

New Faces Join the College Football Playoff Selection Committee

In a move that has the college football world buzzing, Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen and the inaugural selection committee chair, Jeff Long, have been appointed to the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee. This announcement, made on Monday, marks a significant shift in the committee’s composition, bringing in seasoned veterans with a wealth of experience in college athletics.

Dannen steps into the shoes of former Maryland athletic director Damon Evans, who has transitioned to the same role at SMU. Meanwhile, Long is set to serve a one-year term, taking over from Steve Weiberg, who has stepped down for personal reasons. The addition of these two figures is expected to bring fresh perspectives and seasoned insights to the committee’s deliberations.

Troy Dannen’s Journey to the CFP Committee

Dannen is no stranger to the world of college athletics. Now in his second year at the helm of Nebraska’s athletic department, he has already made significant contributions to the NCAA. From 2021 to 2023, Dannen was a member of the NCAA Constitution Committee and the Division I Transformation Committee. His leadership roles have also included chairing the NCAA Football Competition Committee and serving on the executive committee of the Football Oversight Committee.

Before his tenure at Nebraska, Dannen was the athletic director at Washington. During his time there, he played a pivotal role in guiding the Huskies’ transition to the Big Ten and oversaw a football program that reached its first CFP national title appearance in January 2024. His track record speaks volumes about his ability to navigate the complexities of college sports administration.

Jeff Long: A Return to the CFP Committee

Jeff Long’s return to the CFP selection committee is a homecoming of sorts. With 40 years of experience in college athletics as both a coach and administrator, Long brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Currently a consultant with ISE and Trenchcoat Advisors, Long previously served on the CFP selection committee from 2014 to 2018, including a stint as the group’s initial chairman during the 2014-15 seasons.

Long’s career as an athletic director spans several institutions, including Kansas (2018-21), Arkansas (2008-17), Pitt (2003-07), and Eastern Kentucky (1998-2001). His extensive experience in various roles within college athletics makes him a valuable addition to the committee.

Rich Clark, the CFP executive director, expressed his enthusiasm for the new appointments, stating, “We are pleased to have Troy and Jeff join the committee. Troy brings a long commitment to college athletics to our group and previous experience as a member of the FCS Selection Committee, while Jeff, as the first chairman of the CFP selection committee (2014-15), will step in immediately and provide an experienced voice in the room.”

New Faces and Returning Members

The CFP announced in March that former Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio was among five new selection committee members named to the 13-member group tasked with ranking the top 25 teams that ultimately are considered for the 12-team field this fall. Dantonio, Dannen, and Long will join former ESPN college football reporter Ivan Maisel, Middle Tennessee AD Chris Massaro, and former Ole Miss All-America tight end Wesley Walls in the incoming class.

• Baylor AD Mack Rhoades, entering his second year with the group, replaces outgoing committee member and Michigan AD Warde Manuel as the committee chair.
• Returning committee members include longtime Nevada athletic director and coach Chris Ault, former Arizona State All-American offensive lineman Randall McDaniel, former Oregon State and Nebraska coach Mike Riley, Miami (Ohio) athletic director David Sayler, Virginia athletic director Carla Williams, and Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek.

The new members will begin their three-year terms this spring, replacing Navy AD Chet Gladchuk, former Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe, former Nebraska offensive lineman and NFL Hall of Famer Will Shields, and former sportswriter Kelly Whiteside, whose terms have expired.

As the new members prepare to take their seats at the table, the college football community eagerly anticipates the fresh perspectives and insights they will bring to the selection process. With a mix of seasoned veterans and new faces, the CFP selection committee is poised to navigate the challenges of ranking the top teams in college football.