By Adam Silverstein
CBS SPORTS (KFSM) – Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long will not return as chairman of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee next season, CFP executive director Bill Hancock confirmed to Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports.
“When we created the selection committee, there was an expectation the chairman would serve one or two years,” Hancock said Tuesday. “Jeff did a terrific job, but it’s time for someone [else] to take over. We will continue to view it has a one- or two-year position.”
Hancock continued: “[Long] is departing on a very high note. He was a very fine chair.”
Long, who has served as AD at Arkansas since 2008, will continue his term as a selection committee member. That term has two years to run. A handful of committee members’ terms are set to expire this cycle, which should add some fresh blood to the two-year-old playoff entering the 2016 season.
The first two years of the CFP have been an overall success, though Long’s had to deal with his share of controversies, including the committee jumping Ohio State over two Big 12 teams and into the inaugural playoff.
He also had the undesirable role of being forced into the spotlight to explain the CFP Rankings on national television each week.
Long released a statement about his departure from the roll later Tuesday.
“It is difficult to accurately express my sincere and deep appreciation for having been chosen by the 10 FBS Commissioners to serve as the first Chair of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee and then to be chosen for my second term by me fellow committee members. It was extremely meaningful to me personally and professionally.
When I accepted the position of chairman, I did so feeling a strong sense of duty to represent all FBS Athletics Directors across the country and a commitment to help guide the process to determine the best four teams for the playoff as well as rank the remainder of the top 25 teams.
I am extremely proud of the work of the committee in the past two years and am confident we accomplished our mission.
I want to thank the management committee, Bill Hancock and my fellow committee members for their confidence in and support of me in such an important role.
I also want to thank the administration of the University of Arkansas for its support throughout my tenure.
I look forward to continuing our work on the committee as we serve on behalf of the thousands of student-athletes competing in college football.”
ESPN’s Brett McMurphy first reported Long’s departure from the committee.
