New Faces Join CFP Selection Committee, Yurachek Continues as Chair
The College Football Playoff (CFP) Selection Committee is about to see some pretty big changes before the 2026 season. Former coaches Gus Malzahn and Jeff Tedford, plus Louisiana athletic director Bryan Maggard, are stepping in to replace Chris Ault, Jeff Long, and David Sayler.
This shift is happening at a pivotal moment, with the CFP still wrestling with possible expansions and tweaks. The committee’s decisions have been in the spotlight, especially after last season’s controversial verdict.
As college football keeps evolving, these new members are expected to bring valuable insights. There’s hope they’ll help keep the selection process fair—though, let’s be honest, the job’s never easy.
Contents
New Additions to the CFP Selection Committee
Announcing the new faces on the CFP Selection Committee feels like a pretty big deal in college football circles. *Gus Malzahn*, *Jeff Tedford*, and *Bryan Maggard* all bring a hefty dose of experience and know-how, which should only help the committee make smarter calls.
Gus Malzahn
Gus Malzahn just wrapped up a stint as Florida State’s offensive coordinator and has a long, winding career in college football. He also spent four years as UCF’s head coach, showing off his strategy chops and leadership style.
Malzahn’s recent hands-on coaching gives him a fresh perspective. That could really shake things up in the committee room.
Jeff Tedford
Jeff Tedford, another veteran coach, last led Fresno State in 2023. He notched nine wins that season—pretty impressive, honestly.
Now that he’s stepped away from coaching, Tedford can share his insights with the CFP Selection Committee. His coaching background is hard to ignore.
Bryan Maggard
Bryan Maggard is heading into his 10th year as Louisiana’s athletic director. That’s a solid run, and it gives him a unique view of the sport.
With his experience running an athletic department, Maggard gets the behind-the-scenes stuff most folks miss. His role might just be more important than it looks on paper.
Continuity and Leadership
Hunter Yurachek will stay on as the selection committee chair. His leadership has helped the committee through some tough calls.
Keeping Yurachek in the chair should make the transition a bit smoother for the new folks joining up.
Returning Members
The committee’s returning members are:
- Troy Dannen
- Mark Harlan
- Chris Massaro
- Carla Williams
- Mark Dantonio
- Mike Riley
- Randall McDaniel
- Wesley Walls
- Ivan Maisel
These folks bring a mix of backgrounds—athletic directors, ex-coaches, and former All-Americans. Their collective experience should mesh well with the fresh perspectives coming in.
Controversies and Challenges
The CFP Selection Committee has had its share of drama. Last season’s final verdict? People are still arguing about it.
The call to pick Miami as the last at-large team over Notre Dame, even with Miami’s head-to-head win, got fans talking. Alabama’s spot in the rankings, despite a rough loss to Georgia, just added fuel to the fire.
Miami vs. Notre Dame
Miami landed at No. 12 in the final rankings, while Notre Dame sat at No. 10. The way the committee prioritized Miami over Notre Dame—after weeks of ranking the Hurricanes lower—felt like they were just looking for the easiest way out.
This kind of move really highlights why the selection process needs to be more transparent and consistent. Otherwise, it’s just more headaches and debate for everyone.
Future of the Playoff System
The future of the CFP? Yeah, that’s a hot topic. There’s been a lot of chatter about expanding the playoff field even more.
For now, the CFP Management Committee says the field will stick at 12 teams for 2026. Still, conferences can’t seem to agree on what comes next.
Expansion Proposals
The Big Ten has floated a 24-team field, with multiple automatic qualifiers for each conference. The SEC, meanwhile, is pushing for a 16-team “5+11” format.
The SEC’s plan, which the ACC and Big 12 like too, guarantees spots to the five highest-ranked conference champs. The Big Ten’s version? Only one automatic bid for the top Group of Six champ, and the rest of the 23 spots as automatic qualifiers. It’s a lot to keep straight.
Tweaks to the 12-Team Format
Looking ahead to 2026, the CFP Management Committee is making some tweaks to the 12-team setup. Power Four champs will get a guaranteed spot, no matter where they rank in the final poll.
Notre Dame also gets an at-large bid if it finishes in the top 12 of the final rankings. The idea is to make things a little clearer and, hopefully, a bit fairer for everyone involved.
Conclusion
Gus Malzahn, Jeff Tedford, and Bryan Maggard joining the CFP Selection Committee feels like a pretty interesting move for college football. Their backgrounds are all over the map, and they’ve each logged plenty of time in the game.
With the CFP talking about possible expansions and still figuring out how to handle old controversies, having fresh perspectives should help. Honestly, it’ll be fascinating to see how their input shapes the committee’s choices from here on out.
For more detailed information, you can read the full article on CBS Sports.
