IRVING, Texas — Arkansas athletics director Hunter Yurachek has been named chair of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee for the rest of the 2025 season.
The announcement was made by CFP executive director Rich Clark following Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades’ decision to step down for personal reasons.
Yurachek’s appointment places him in charge of leading the committee that determines the top 25 teams and the 12 schools selected for the playoff field.
He will serve in the role immediately as the playoff enters its most critical stretch.
Clark praised Yurachek’s leadership and experience, noting his “integrity and commitment to the game” as key reasons for his selection.
“We are deeply appreciative of Mack Rhoades’ leadership and service as Chair of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee this season,” Clark said in a statement. “Mack has informed us of his decision to step down for personal reasons, and our thoughts are with him and his family during this time.
“We are pleased to announce that Hunter Yurachek will assume the role of Selection Committee Chair, effective immediately.
“Hunter’s experience, integrity, and commitment to the game make him exceptionally well-suited to lead the committee as it continues its important work throughout the remainder of the season.”
The decision marks another major step for Yurachek, who has served as athletic director at Arkansas since 2017.
Under his leadership, the Razorbacks have experienced growth in multiple sports, including football and basketball, while also strengthening facilities and athlete support programs.
His involvement with national committees has made him a familiar voice across the college sports landscape.
Yurachek’s role will require him to oversee the process of ranking the nation’s best teams each week, beginning in early November.
The committee convenes regularly to evaluate resumes, strength of schedule, head-to-head results and conference championships.
At the end of the regular season, the 12-team playoff field is determined and seeded based on the committee’s final vote.
As chair, Yurachek will guide discussions and help maintain transparency and fairness within the group.
The position carries responsibility for communicating the committee’s decisions publicly and ensuring consistency in how rankings are applied.
For Arkansas fans, the announcement reinforces Yurachek’s growing influence on the national stage while maintaining his role within the university’s athletic leadership.
In addition to naming Yurachek as chair, the College Football Playoff also announced that Utah athletics director Mark Harlan has been appointed to the selection committee.
Harlan replaces Rhoades as a voting member and returns for his second stint, having previously served on the committee during the 2023 season.
Harlan’s addition helps maintain a balance of representation across conferences and geographic regions within the 13-member committee.
Like Yurachek, he brings administrative experience and a track record of success at the university level. Utah has claimed multiple conference titles and major bowl appearances under his leadership.
The updated group will continue meeting weekly through the remainder of the season to prepare rankings and eventual playoff assignments.
Each week’s top-25 list reflects the committee’s ongoing assessment of on-field results and overall team performance.
The rankings are released to the public each Tuesday, setting the stage for national discussion ahead of the playoff announcement in December.
Yurachek’s selection underscores the respect he has earned within college athletics circles.
His balanced approach to competition, academics and player support has made him a key figure in shaping policy discussions at both the Southeastern Conference and NCAA levels.
In recent years, he has been instrumental in advancing Arkansas’ facilities plan, expanding NIL infrastructure and helping the Razorbacks achieve competitive balance across multiple sports.
His leadership style, described as direct and steady, has drawn praise from colleagues across the SEC.
The CFP selection committee chair is responsible not only for leading internal discussions but also for representing the committee’s work to fans, coaches and media.
That communication role requires trust and consistency, two traits often associated with Yurachek’s tenure in Fayetteville.
For Arkansas, his national appointment reflects positively on the university’s reputation in collegiate athletics.
It also places the Razorbacks’ athletic director in a unique position of influence as the sport transitions into a new playoff era.
Key takeaways
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Hunter Yurachek was appointed chair of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee for the remainder of the 2025 season.
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He replaces Baylor’s Mack Rhoades, who stepped down for personal reasons; Utah AD Mark Harlan joins the committee.
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As chair, Yurachek will oversee rankings and playoff selections for the expanded 12-team format.
