Kirby Hocutt named chairman of CFP selection committee

Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt is the new chairman of the College Football Playoff selection committee.

CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock announced the news Thursday, a day after Hancock confirmed that Jeff Long would no longer serve in that role. Long served as chairman in the first two years of the CFP’s existence, and will remain a part of the 12-person selection committee. Hancock told USA Today that the original vision for the chairman position was a “one or two-year term.”

“Kirby has established himself as a natural leader,” Hancock said. “His personality, his background as a Football Bowl Subdivision student-athlete and his experience make him a perfect fit to chair the committee. Jeff Long set a high bar for excellence and we know Kirby will also be a terrific chairman.”

Along with Hancock, the chairman serves as a spokesperson of sorts for the selection committee while overseeing the group’s meetings and agenda throughout the season.

Hocutt has been the athletic director at Texas Tech since 2011. Before that, he served as athletic director at Ohio University and the University of Miami (Fla.). He also served as chairman of the NCAA Division I Football Recruiting Subcommittee.

Hocutt was an All-Big Eight Conference linebacker at Kansas State, where he graduated in 1995. He also earned his master’s degree from Oklahoma.

“College football continues to have a significant impact in my life and I am humbled and honored by this appointment,” said Hocutt. “Serving on the committee this past season was a tremendous experience. The thoughtful consideration, professionalism and integrity exhibited by the members of this committee speak to the level of success the College Football Playoff has shown in its brief history.”

Hocutt was named to the selection committee in February to replace former West Virginia AD Oliver Luck. Luck took a position with the NCAA.