Utah AD Mark Harlan will return to College Football Playoff selection committee in 2026

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After serving on the College Football Playoff selection committee for the final month of the 2025 season, Utah athletic director Mark Harlan is back for 2026.

The College Football Playoff announced Monday that Harlan will be one of 13 members on the committee that determines which teams participate in the playoff.

Last season Harlan filled an open slot in the CFP committee after College Football Playoff committee chairman and Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades took a leave of absence for “personal reasons” in early November.

Now Harlan is back for a third season on the committee. He previously served in 2023 and 2025.

Harlan is one of six athletic directors on this year’s committee, joining Arkansas’ Hunter Yurachek, who returns as selection committee chair, Louisiana’s Bryan Maggard, Nebraska’s Troy Dannen, Middle Tennessee State’s Chris Massaro and Virginia’s Carla Williams.

Four former coaches (Gus Malzahn, Jeff Tedford, Mark Dantonio and Mike Riley), two former players (Randall McDaniel, Wesley Walls) and a former media member (Ivan Maisel) make up the remainder of the committee.

The 2026 College Football Playoff will remain a 12-team field, with the five highest-ranked conference champions getting an automatic bid.

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