Texas Tech AD Kirby Hocutt yesterday "was named to the College Football Playoff selection committee" after Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby "nominated Hocutt to represent the conference, and the CFP management committee approved him," according to Don Williams of the LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL. The 41-year-old Hocutt "will be the youngest person on the committee, which had 12 members" after Archie Manning’s health-related departure. He "takes the place" of former West Virginia AD Oliver Luck, who "vacated his spot" by taking the job of NCAA Exec VP/Regulatory Affairs. Hocutt "will serve the two years left on Luck’s term." Hocutt "pointed to his background as a major-college player -- he was an all-Big 8 linebacker at Kansas State -- and his connections with coaches as his primary qualifications." He was an AD at Ohio and Miami before Texas Tech, and has "spent the last two years as chairman of the NCAA football recruiting subcommittee" (LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL, 2/10). In Austin, Brian Davis writes every Big 12 school "should want someone on the panel who isn’t going to be pushed around." Multiple Big 12 officials in recent weeks said that Hocutt "would be a welcome candidate simply for the respect he’s earned in league circles." Davis reports TCU AD Chris Del Conte and Baylor AD Ian McCaw "were seen as nonstarters," as the two schools "were embroiled in a CFP controversy last season" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 2/10).
RAVE REVIEWS: ESPN.com's Jake Trotter wrote the selection of Hocutt should "quell concerns raised" by Baylor coach Art Briles, who "was critical of the playoff committee for not having more representation from 'the south part of the United States'" (
ESPN.com, 2/9). In Dallas, Chuck Carlton noted Hocutt during his media availability yesterday "highlighted his Lone Star State upbringing." Carlton: "Dialect notwithstanding, Hocutt was an obvious choice." He brings "a different generational view" to a committee that "can claim its share of AARP discounts." Bowlsby said Hocutt's "background is well-suited for the rigors of the committee" (
DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/10). In San Antonio, Tim Griffin wrote Hocutt "was the best choice the Big 12 could have determined" (
MYSANANTONIO.com, 2/9). ESPN.com's Heather Dinich wrote Bowlsby "couldn't have made a better, more obvious nomination." Hocutt "has the administrative background," as well as "the football resume." Equally "if not more important, he has respect and a fresh perspective." Hocutt "doesn't have to have star power -- he doesn't have to be a world leader, Heisman winner or even popular among fans of the game." He "just has to know the game -- and be trusted to pick the four best teams in the country." Bowlsby said that there were "about four or five other athletic directors within the conference who were capable of the job and interested in the position, but called Hocutt 'the perfect fit'" (
ESPN.com, 2/9).
