Big news for college football fans: the College Football Playoff (CFP) Management Committee just added three new faces to its Selection Committee. Dr. Bryan Maggard, Gus Malzahn, and Jeff Tedford will kick off their three-year terms this spring, stepping in for Chris Ault, Jeff Long, and David Sayler.
Also, University of Arkansas Athletics Director Hunter Yurachek will stick around as committee chair for another year, keeping that role through the 2026 football season. Let’s take a closer look at these new committee members and what they might bring to the table.
New Faces on the CFP Selection Committee
Bringing in Dr. Bryan Maggard, Gus Malzahn, and Jeff Tedford shakes things up in a good way for the CFP Selection Committee. These guys have been around the block and know the college football world inside and out.
Each brings something a little different, which should help keep the selection process sharp and fair. It’s hard not to be at least a little curious about how their backgrounds will influence decisions.
Dr. Bryan Maggard: A Visionary Leader
Dr. Bryan Maggard’s made a real mark in college athletics. As the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Louisiana, he’s overseen a seriously successful stretch for the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Under his watch, the school picked up 20 Sun Belt Conference titles and 23 NCAA postseason trips. In 2021-22, Louisiana hit its highest fundraising total ever—over $30 million—including a record $15 million stadium naming deal.
Before Louisiana, Dr. Maggard spent 22 years at the University of Missouri, helping guide the Tigers into the Southeastern Conference. He’s got a Ph.D. in Educational and Counseling Psychology from Mizzou, which adds some academic heft to his résumé.
Gus Malzahn: An Offensive Innovator
Gus Malzahn’s been coaching for 35 years, and his offensive ideas have left a real mark. He’s racked up a national championship, three conference titles, and a 105-62 record as head coach at Arkansas State, Auburn, and UCF.
Malzahn’s knack for quick turnarounds is well-known. Just look at his first year at Auburn—he took them to a 12-2 record and a BCS National Championship Game appearance.
Before jumping into college coaching, Malzahn led high school teams in Arkansas to a 144-36-1 record and three state championships. He’s got a deep playbook and a creative approach, which should add some spark to the committee’s discussions.
Jeff Tedford: A Master of Turnarounds
Jeff Tedford’s reputation? Turning programs around. As head coach at Cal and Fresno State, he put together a 127-79 record.
At Cal, he took the team to bowl games year after year and grabbed a share of the 2006 Pac-10 title. His run at Fresno State was strong too—two Mountain West crowns and three Western Division titles.
Tedford got his start in the Canadian Football League, then moved to offensive coordinator jobs at Fresno State and Oregon. He’s seen a lot, and that experience will definitely count for something on the committee.
Hunter Yurachek: Continuity and Leadership
Hunter Yurachek’s sticking around as chair of the CFP Selection Committee for another year. That’s probably a good thing—he’s built a solid reputation as Athletics Director at Arkansas and has been a steady hand in the selection process.
He’s expressed how grateful he is for the chance to return as chair, and seems genuinely excited to keep building on last year’s work. Having that kind of continuity should help as the committee faces another round of tough choices.
The Role of the CFP Selection Committee
The CFP Selection Committee ranks the top 25 college football teams and picks the top 12 for the playoff bracket. They use game film, data, and conference input to come up with weekly rankings until the final selections are made.
The group is meant to balance football know-how, industry knowledge, and independent thinking. It’s not an easy job, and there’s always pressure to get it right.
Current Committee Composition
With Maggard, Malzahn, and Tedford joining, the committee now includes six sitting athletics directors, six at-large members (four former head coaches and two former players), and one former media member. Here’s the roster of returning members:
- Troy Dannen (Athletics Director, University of Nebraska)
- Mark Dantonio (Former Head Coach, University of Cincinnati and Michigan State)
- Mark Harlan (Athletics Director, University of Utah)
- Ivan Maisel (Former Sportswriter for The Atlanta Constitution, Sports Illustrated, the Dallas Morning News, Newsday, ESPN, and On3)
- Chris Massaro (Athletics Director, Middle Tennessee State)
- Randall McDaniel (Former All-American Offensive Lineman, Arizona State University)
- Mike Riley (Former Head Coach, Oregon State University and the University of Nebraska)
- Wesley Walls (Former All-American Tight End from Ole Miss)
- Carla Williams (Athletics Director, University of Virginia)
- Hunter Yurachek (Athletics Director, University of Arkansas)
Looking Ahead
The CFP is heading into its 13th season. With Dr. Bryan Maggard, Gus Malzahn, and Jeff Tedford joining the Selection Committee, there’s a sense of real anticipation in the air.
These three bring distinct backgrounds and a deep love for the game. It’s hard not to feel optimistic about how their ideas might shake things up.
Hunter Yurachek is still at the helm as chair. That kind of steady leadership should help keep things running smoothly, even with all the new faces.
If you’re looking for more info or just want to keep up with the latest, check out the official CFP website.
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