CFP adds Troy Dannen, Jeff Long to selection committee

Field Level Media|published: Mon 5th May, 19:27 2025

Mar 1, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers athletic director Troy Dannen watches the game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

The College Football Playoff selection committee announced on Monday that Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen and inaugural selection committee chair and longtime athletics administrator Jeff Long are joining the board.

Dannen is filling the vacancy of Damon Evans, the former Maryland athletic director who is now at SMU in the same position.

Long, who will serve for one year, replaces Steve Weiberg, who resigned for personal reasons.

Dannen, in his second year as the Cornhuskers' AD, served on the NCAA Constitution Committee and the Division I Transformation Committee from 2021-23. He has also been an executive committee member of the Football Oversight Committee and a chair of the NCAA Football Competition Committee. Before taking over at Nebraska, Dannen held the same title at Washington.

Long returns to the CFP selection committee after serving from 2014-18, which included two seasons (2014-15) as the initial chairman. Long worked in college athletics as a coach and administrator for four decades, including as AD at Eastern Kentucky (1998-2001), Pitt (2003-07), Arkansas (2008-17) and Kansas (2018-21).

In March, former Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio and four other new members were named to the 13-member selection committee responsible for ranking the top 25 teams up for consideration for the 12-team field this fall.

Middle Tennessee AD Chris Massaro, former Ole Miss All-America tight end Wesley Walls and former ESPN college football reporter Ivan Masiel are also part of the incoming group. Baylor AD Mack Rhoades will serve as the committee chair, replacing Michigan AD Warde Manuel, who is leaving the committee.

Former Oregon State and Nebraska coach Mike Riley, Virginia AD Carla Williams, former Nevada AD and coach Chris Ault, Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek, former Arizona State All-America offensive lineman Randall McDaniel and Miami (Ohio) AD David Sayler return from last season.

Former Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe, former Nebraska offensive lineman and Pro Football Hall of Famer Will Shields, former sportswriter Kelly Whiteside and Navy AD Chet Gladchuk, whose terms have expired, will be replaced by the new members, who begin their three-year terms this spring.

--Field Level Media