Texas Tech's Kirby Hocutt named College Football Playoff chairman

Published March 25, 2016

ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 27: The College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy is seen on the field prior to the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Tennessee Volunteers at Sanford Stadium on September 27, 2014 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

IRVING, Texas -- Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt has been named chairman of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee, replacing Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long.

Long is rotating out of the chairman's role after the playoff's first two years.

Executive Director Bill Hancock announced Hocutt's appointment on Thursday. Hocutt served on the committee this past season, and Hancock cited his background as a former college athlete and his experience as an administrator.

Hocutt was an All-Big Eight linebacker at Kansas State and has been athletic director at Ohio University and Miami.

Hancock called Hocutt a "natural leader." He also praised Long for the job he did running the committee as the playoff launched. Alabama beat Clemson Monday night in the final to claim the national championship.

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