Univ. of Arkansas AD Jeff Long heard his name called, worded an eloquent speech, posed for a few photos -- and then it sunk in. “You’re floating on a cloud up there on that stage, but now it’s starting to hit me,” the choked-up, freshly named Athletic Director of the Year award winner said backstage. “It really is an emotional moment for me.” Long received the honor in large part due to his ability to run a top-tier D-I program while simultaneously serving as the inaugural College Football Playoff Selection Committee Chair. The key to his success? “It’s a team effort. It’s been a fantastic experience for me to let go a little bit, and a fantastic experience for my senior leaders who get to take on a larger role in my absence.” Long watched games Saturday, watched replays of matches Sunday and prepared for the committee meetings from Monday until midnight Tuesday, all while leading Arkansas to an $8M profit. And yes, he will be doing it all over again next year, having already been re-elected to lead the selection committee.
