Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas AD Jeff Long steps down from playoff committee chair position

Published Jan. 13, 2016 3:48 p.m. ET

foxsports

Jeff Long's unenviable job as the chairman of the college football playoff committee has come to an end. The Arkansas athletic director will still remain on the playoff committee, he just will no longer serve in the lead role and the public face of the selection committee.

College football playoff executive director Bill Hancock confirmed the news to CBS Sports Tuesday.

"When we created the selection committee, there was an expectation the chairman would serve one or two years," Hancock said Tuesday. "Jeff did a terrific job, but it's time for someone [else] to take over. We will continue to view it has a one- or two-year position."

Long released a statement of his own following the news:

"It is difficult to accurately express my sincere and deep appreciation for having been chosen by the 10 FBS Commissioners to serve as the first Chair of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee and then to be chosen for my second term by me fellow committee members," Long said via statement. "It was extremely meaningful to me personally and professionally.

"When I accepted the position of chairman, I did so feeling a strong sense of duty to represent all FBS Athletics Directors across the country and a commitment to help guide the process to determine the best four teams for the playoff as well as rank the remainder of the top 25 teams.

"I am extremely proud of the work of the committee in the past two years and am confident we accomplished our mission... I look forward to continuing our work on the committee as we serve on behalf of the thousands of student-athletes competing in college football.”

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