The College Football Playoff Selection Committee is adding three new voices this spring, bringing together a fresh mix of administrative leadership and sideline experience. Dr. Bryan Maggard of Louisiana, former head coach Gus Malzahn, and longtime coach Jeff Tedford have been appointed to three-year terms on the committee, while Arkansas athletics director Hunter Yurachek will return as chair for another season.
CFP Executive Director Rich Clark said the group will “introduce strong, fresh perspectives” as the committee enters its 13th year. He noted that each new member “brings a deep understanding of the game, a genuine passion for college football and a commitment to integrity and excellence,” adding that Yurachek’s leadership extension ensures “a seamless transition” heading into the 2026 playoff cycle.
Coaching, Administration, and Experience Aligned
In Dr. Bryan Maggard, the CFP gains a seasoned administrator who has guided the University of Louisiana through one of its most successful stretches in school history. Now in his tenth year in Lafayette, Maggard has overseen 20 Sun Belt titles and more than 20 NCAA postseason appearances across multiple sports. Under his leadership, Louisiana raised over $30 million in 2021–22, highlighted by a record $15 million naming-rights deal for a major stadium renovation. He also serves on the NCAA Division I FBS Oversight Committee, positioning him among the leading voices in college athletics governance.
“I’ve always believed the strength of college football lies in its people — administrators, coaches, and fans who care deeply about the student-athlete experience,” Maggard said in commenting on his appointment. “It’s an honor to be part of a process that celebrates competitive excellence while maintaining fairness.”
Before Louisiana, Maggard spent more than two decades at Missouri, where he helped guide the Tigers’ transition into the SEC. Originally from Dexter, Kansas, he holds degrees from Kansas State and a Ph.D. from Missouri, blending academic and athletic insight that fits neatly into the committee’s expectations for analytical balance.
Gus Malzahn’s appointment brings one of the most decorated résumés in modern college football into the room. Known for his fast-paced, innovative offenses, Malzahn spent 35 years in the coaching ranks, including head-coaching tenures at Arkansas State, Auburn, and UCF. His career record of 105–62 includes a national championship, a second title game appearance, and multiple conference crowns. His first season at Auburn in 2013 remains one of the greatest turnarounds in recent memory — taking a three-win team to 12 victories and a shot at the national title.
Malzahn said the chance to serve on the CFP Selection Committee “means continuing to be part of a game that has shaped nearly every part of my life.” He added that he looks forward to “approaching this role with the same preparation and perspective” that guided his coaching career.
Before his college success, Malzahn dominated the Arkansas high school landscape for over a decade, winning state titles and earning induction into the Arkansas High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. He’s the rare figure to have 100 wins both as a high school and FBS head coach — a testament to his longevity and consistency.
Rounding out the trio is Jeff Tedford, whose career at Cal and Fresno State showcased an unmatched ability to rebuild programs. Tedford went 82–57 at Cal, still the school’s all-time winningest coach, leading the Bears to eight bowl games and a share of the 2006 Pac-10 title. Returning to his alma mater in 2017, he helped transform Fresno State into one of the Mountain West’s premier programs, collecting two league championships and three division crowns.
“Coaching at both Cal and Fresno State taught me how much leadership and consistency matter,” Tedford said. “This committee has a tremendous responsibility to evaluate those same traits in programs across the country, and I’m proud to help shape that conversation.”
A former quarterback himself, Tedford played at Cerritos College and Fresno State before spending six seasons in the CFL. His perspective as both player and coach adds another layer of experience to a committee built around balance and knowledge.
Yurachek’s Steady Hand Returns
For the second straight year, the CFP will be chaired by Arkansas athletics director Hunter Yurachek, whose calm presence and organizational acumen helped guide the committee through its first expanded playoff discussions last season. Clark noted that Yurachek “quickly established himself as an effective and respected leader” and that his extension through the 2026 season was a unanimous decision by the management committee.
Yurachek said he was “incredibly grateful for the opportunity to return,” adding that working with the group last season was a highlight of his career. “It was an honor to collaborate with such a committed and thoughtful team,” he said. “Every member shares the same passion for college football and the same responsibility to uphold the integrity of this process.”
Beyond selecting playoff teams, the CFP committee plays an increasingly technical role. Members review game film, analyze data, incorporate conference feedback, and meet each week late in the season to produce updated rankings. Those rankings determine which 12 teams make the playoff and how they’re seeded, as well as placements for the remaining New Year’s Six bowls.
The committee’s composition now includes six sitting athletic directors, four former head coaches, two former players, and one former media member. Returning members include Troy Dannen (Nebraska AD), Mark Dantonio, Mark Harlan (Utah AD), Ivan Maisel, Chris Massaro (Middle Tennessee AD), Randall McDaniel, Mike Riley, Wesley Walls, and Carla Williams (Virginia AD).
Clark emphasized that the structure was designed “to balance technical football expertise with independent judgment,” ensuring no single viewpoint dominates the weekly discussions.
With Maggard’s steady administrative insight, Malzahn’s on-field creativity, Tedford’s program-building perspective, and Yurachek’s proven leadership, the committee enters the 2026 season anchored by experience and credibility. As the playoff era continues to evolve, these four figures will help determine not just who advances — but how the sport defines greatness in the years to come.
