Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek Leads College Football Playoff Committee; Harlan Rejoins

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Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek Leads College Football Playoff Committee; Harlan Rejoins

Hunter Yurachek, the Athletics Director at the University of Arkansas, has been appointed as the chair of the College Football Playoff (CFP) Selection Committee. This announcement was made by Rich Clark, executive director of the CFP. Yurachek will take over for Mack Rhoades, the former chair from Baylor University, who stepped down from his position for personal reasons.

Mark Harlan Joins the CFP Selection Committee

In addition to Yurachek’s new role, Mark Harlan, the Athletics Director at the University of Utah, has been named to the CFP Selection Committee as well. Harlan previously served on the committee for a year during the 2023 season and brings a wealth of experience to his new role.

Rich Clark expressed gratitude for Mack Rhoades’ contributions, noting the committee’s appreciation for Rhoades’ leadership during his tenure. Clark underscored Yurachek’s qualifications, stating that his experience and dedication will benefit the committee as it approaches the remainder of the season.

Mark Harlan’s Accomplishments

Director at the University of Utah since 2018.
Oversaw five national championships and 32 conference championships during tenure.
In 2024-2025, six Utah teams qualified for NCAA championship postseason play.
Utah football won back-to-back Pac-12 championships and participated in the Rose Bowl in 2022 and 2023.
Named Cushman & Wakefield Athletics Director of the Year after the 2022-2023 academic year.

Harlan has enjoyed a prominent career in athletics administration, with over three decades of experience. Prior to Utah, he served as the Athletics Director at the University of South Florida and held various roles at institutions including UCLA and the University of Arizona.

The Role of the CFP Selection Committee

The CFP Selection Committee plays a crucial role in determining college football rankings. The committee is responsible for ranking the top 25 teams and assigning 12 of those teams to the playoff bracket. Meetings commence in early November, leading to weekly top 25 rankings until the final selections are announced.

College Football Playoff Overview

The College Football Playoff is designed to determine the national champion in college football. The committee ranks teams at the end of the regular season. The top five conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams will fill a 12-team playoff bracket. Key details of the playoff include:

Four highest-ranked teams receive a first-round bye.
Nos. 5-12 will compete in the first round, hosted by the higher seeds.
The playoff semifinals and finals rotate among six bowl games.

Looking ahead, the College Football Playoff National Championship is scheduled for January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. For further details on the College Football Playoff, visit El-Balad.