The College Football Playoff (CFP) Selection Committee is welcoming two seasoned veterans of college athletics, signaling a move toward deeper experience and broader perspective in the ever-evolving landscape of collegiate football. CFP Executive Director Rich Clark announced Monday that Troy Dannen, current athletic director at the University of Nebraska, and Jeff Long, a respected former athletic director at several Power Five institutions, have been appointed to the committee.
Dannen will fill the seat vacated by Damon Evans, who recently left the committee after assuming the athletic director position at Southern Methodist University (SMU). Jeff Long, meanwhile, has been tapped for a one-year term, stepping in for longtime committee member Steve Weiberg, who stepped down due to personal reasons.
“We are pleased to have Troy and Jeff join the committee,” said Clark in a statement. “Troy brings strong leadership experience and a deep understanding of college athletics, while Jeff returns as the CFP’s original chair, offering immediate perspective and continuity.”
Dannen’s selection is particularly notable given his recent transition to Nebraska, where he took over the athletic department amidst high expectations. Known for his strategic thinking and steady hand in leadership, Dannen has previously overseen successful athletics programs at Tulane and Northern Iowa, establishing a reputation for fostering both competitive success and academic integrity. His addition is expected to add a fresh yet steady voice to the committee’s deliberations.
Jeff Long’s return brings a different kind of value—experience. Long was not only the inaugural chair of the CFP Selection Committee when it was established in 2014, but he has also served as athletic director at prominent schools such as Arkansas, Pittsburgh, and Kansas. His intimate familiarity with the selection process, combined with his deep-rooted connections across the NCAA landscape, positions him as a critical figure in ensuring continuity and institutional knowledge within the committee.
The 13-member College Football Playoff Selection Committee is tasked with evaluating teams and determining rankings that culminate in the selection of four teams to compete in the College Football Playoff. Their decisions are based on a holistic set of criteria, including strength of schedule, head-to-head results, championships won, and more.
With the increasing complexities of conference realignments, playoff expansions on the horizon, and shifting dynamics in college sports governance, the addition of two figures with such robust credentials appears to be a strategic move by the CFP. As the postseason picture becomes more competitive and high-stakes than ever, the insights of experienced leaders like Dannen and Long will be pivotal.
Both appointments are effective immediately, and Dannen and Long are expected to participate in the committee’s next scheduled meetings, contributing to the evaluation process that shapes the future of college football’s most important postseason.
Their presence not only strengthens the committee but also reassures fans and stakeholders alike that the College Football Playoff remains committed to fairness, expertise, and transparency in its decision-making process.
