FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2025
CONTACT: Brett Daniels, 469-262-5200
Clark also announced that the Management Committee has appointed Mark Dantonio, former head coach at the University of Cincinnati and Michigan State University; Damon Evans, athletics director at the University of Maryland; Ivan Maisel, former sportswriter for The Atlanta Constitution, Sports Illustrated, the Dallas Morning News, Newsday, ESPN and On3; Chris Massaro, athletics director at Middle Tennessee State University; and Wesley Walls, former All-American tight end from Ole Miss, to the CFP Selection Committee.
The new members will begin three-year terms starting this spring. They will replace Chet Gladchuk, Jim Grobe, Manuel, Will Shields, and Kelly Whiteside, whose terms have expired. Due to other commitments, Gary Pinkel stepped down following the completion of his first year on the committee. All six departing members will join a distinguished group of alumni.
Clark also announced that the management committee has asked Steve Wieberg, former CFP Selection Committee member (2014-17) and longtime writer for USA TODAY, to return for a one-year term.
“The additions of Mark, Damon, Ivan, Chris and Wesley will bring some great new voices to the selection committee as we enter our 12th season,” Clark said. “Each of them has tremendous knowledge, passion and dedication to college football, along with outstanding character and integrity. Their skills and wide variety of experiences—from coaches and athletes to university leaders and journalists—will ensure that they will transition in with our returning members successfully. We also appreciate Steve returning for the upcoming season. His understanding and wisdom from his previous term will be a real benefit to the group.”
“Finally, we are pleased that Mack will serve as chair,” Clark added. “He was an outstanding member of the committee last year, and his demeanor and personality will serve him well in leading the group.
“I am truly honored to be asked to serve as chair of the selection committee, Rhoades said. “It was a privilege to
join such a dedicated group of individuals last year, and I look forward to continuing that work again this fall. Each
and every member of the committee is passionate about college football and focused on ensuring the integrity and
excellence of the playoff process."
Mark Dantonio served as the head coach at the University of Cincinnati from 2004-06 and Michigan State University from 2007-19, compiling a career record of 132-74. In his 13 seasons at Michigan State, he led the Spartans to 12 bowl games, three Big Ten Conference titles and a berth in the 2015 College Football Playoff. His 114 career wins in East Lansing made him the winningest head coach in Michigan State history, and in 2015, he became the first head coach in Big Ten history to win at least 11 games in five of six seasons. Based on these career accomplishments, Dantonio was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame and the Michigan State Ring of Honor in 2024.
Dantonio began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Ohio University before making stops at Purdue, Ohio State (where he served two years under Earle Bruce) and five years on Jim Tressel’s staff at Youngstown State. In 1991, he joined Glen Mason’s staff at Kansas before Nick Saban became the head coach at Michigan State in 1995 and brought Dantonio on staff. In 2001, Dantonio reunited with Tressel at Ohio State as the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator for three seasons, including a national championship campaign in 2002.
Dantonio grew up in Ohio as an all-state safety before becoming a three-year letterman as a defensive back at the University of South Carolina. He received his bachelor’s degree from South Carolina and his master’s degree from Ohio University.
March 4, 2025
CONTACT: Brett Daniels, 469-262-5200
BAYLOR AD MACK RHOADES NAMED CHAIR OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SELECTION COMMITTEE; DANTONIO, EVANS, MAISEL, MASSARO AND WALLS NAMED NEW MEMBERS; WIEBERG RETURNING
IRVING, Texas – The College Football Playoff (CFP) Management Committee has appointed Baylor University Athletics Director Mack Rhoades as selection committee chair for the 2025 football season, announced today by Rich Clark, executive director of the CFP. Rhoades replaces Warde Manuel, the athletics director at the University of Michigan, who served as chair last season.Clark also announced that the Management Committee has appointed Mark Dantonio, former head coach at the University of Cincinnati and Michigan State University; Damon Evans, athletics director at the University of Maryland; Ivan Maisel, former sportswriter for The Atlanta Constitution, Sports Illustrated, the Dallas Morning News, Newsday, ESPN and On3; Chris Massaro, athletics director at Middle Tennessee State University; and Wesley Walls, former All-American tight end from Ole Miss, to the CFP Selection Committee.
The new members will begin three-year terms starting this spring. They will replace Chet Gladchuk, Jim Grobe, Manuel, Will Shields, and Kelly Whiteside, whose terms have expired. Due to other commitments, Gary Pinkel stepped down following the completion of his first year on the committee. All six departing members will join a distinguished group of alumni.
Clark also announced that the management committee has asked Steve Wieberg, former CFP Selection Committee member (2014-17) and longtime writer for USA TODAY, to return for a one-year term.
“The additions of Mark, Damon, Ivan, Chris and Wesley will bring some great new voices to the selection committee as we enter our 12th season,” Clark said. “Each of them has tremendous knowledge, passion and dedication to college football, along with outstanding character and integrity. Their skills and wide variety of experiences—from coaches and athletes to university leaders and journalists—will ensure that they will transition in with our returning members successfully. We also appreciate Steve returning for the upcoming season. His understanding and wisdom from his previous term will be a real benefit to the group.”
“Finally, we are pleased that Mack will serve as chair,” Clark added. “He was an outstanding member of the committee last year, and his demeanor and personality will serve him well in leading the group.
“I am truly honored to be asked to serve as chair of the selection committee, Rhoades said. “It was a privilege to
join such a dedicated group of individuals last year, and I look forward to continuing that work again this fall. Each
and every member of the committee is passionate about college football and focused on ensuring the integrity and
excellence of the playoff process."
Mark Dantonio served as the head coach at the University of Cincinnati from 2004-06 and Michigan State University from 2007-19, compiling a career record of 132-74. In his 13 seasons at Michigan State, he led the Spartans to 12 bowl games, three Big Ten Conference titles and a berth in the 2015 College Football Playoff. His 114 career wins in East Lansing made him the winningest head coach in Michigan State history, and in 2015, he became the first head coach in Big Ten history to win at least 11 games in five of six seasons. Based on these career accomplishments, Dantonio was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame and the Michigan State Ring of Honor in 2024.
Dantonio began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Ohio University before making stops at Purdue, Ohio State (where he served two years under Earle Bruce) and five years on Jim Tressel’s staff at Youngstown State. In 1991, he joined Glen Mason’s staff at Kansas before Nick Saban became the head coach at Michigan State in 1995 and brought Dantonio on staff. In 2001, Dantonio reunited with Tressel at Ohio State as the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator for three seasons, including a national championship campaign in 2002.
Dantonio grew up in Ohio as an all-state safety before becoming a three-year letterman as a defensive back at the University of South Carolina. He received his bachelor’s degree from South Carolina and his master’s degree from Ohio University.
