Playoff chairman: Haden's confrontation won't impact his picks

Published Sep. 10, 2014 3:20 p.m. ET

foxsports

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long says he doesn't expect Pat Haden's recent confrontation with officials, or his $25,000 fine by the Pac-12 Conference, to impact his ability to evaluate teams as a member of the College Football Playoff selection committee.

Long, the chairman of the committee, says he was not surprised by the level of national scrutiny Haden faced when the Southern California athletic director came down to the field at Stanford Stadium during USC's 13-10 win at Stanford on Saturday.

The Pac-12 also reprimanded USC coach Steve Sarkisian, who said he had requested Haden's presence on the sideline after a series of penalties left him irate at officials.

Long also says the level of scrutiny the football selection committee faces is more than its NCAA basketball counterparts.