Gus Malzahn among new CFP selection committee members; Hunter Yurachek extended as chair

Former Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn is among three new members of the College Football Playoff selection committee, executive director Rich Clark announced on Monday.

Malzahn will join former Cal and Fresno State head coach Jeff Tedford and Louisiana athletic director Jeff Maggard as new members of the 13-person committee.

“Each brings a deep understanding of the game, a genuine passion for college football and a commitment to integrity and excellence,” Clark said in a release. “Their diverse backgrounds as university leaders, recent coaches and former student-athletes will complement our returning members and allow for a seamless transition.”

Committee members generally serve three-year terms but some exceptions — usually for health reasons — have been made since the committee first met in 2014.

Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek has been extended as the committee’s chairman for a second season. The chairman is the only committee member allowed to speak on behalf of the group’s decisions in the closed-door meetings that begin late in the season.

Malzahn was also head coach at Arkansas State and UCF before retiring last month following a one-year stint as Florida State’s offensive coordinator. Tedford had dealt with health issues multiple times late in his second tenure at Fresno State and retired just before the 2024 season began.

Maggard joins Nebraska’s Troy Dannen, Utah’s Mark Harlan, Middle Tennessee’s Chris Massaro, Virginia’s Carla Williams and Yurachek as active athletic directors serving on the committee.