Full Breakdown
Doug Gillin Joins College Football Playoff Selection Committee
8/5/2026, 5:33:42 PM
Appointment Overview
On August 4, 2026, the College Football Playoff Management Committee announced that Appalachian State athletic director Doug Gillin will replace Dr. Bryan Maggard on the CFP Selection Committee. He will serve a three-year term covering the 2026, 2027 and 2028 football seasons. The committee meets in person late in the season and issues weekly top-25 rankings that determine the 12-team playoff field.
Gillin’s Career Highlights
- Entered his 12th year at Appalachian State in February 2015, guiding the program’s move from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to the Sun Belt Conference at the FBS level.
- Oversaw four straight Sun Belt championships (2016-19) and a 13-1 record in 2019, which earned the Mountaineers a No. 20 finish in the final 2019 CFP rankings.
- Led the first program to win bowl games in each of its first six FBS-eligible seasons (2015-20); the team has logged 98 wins since 2015, ranking among the nation’s top-15 in total victories.
- Named one of four national Under Armour Athletics Directors of the Year (2019-20) and served on the NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee (2020-23).
- Previously deputy athletics director at Missouri (2012-15) and held senior roles at ISP Sports/IMG College, with early positions at Lehigh, New Mexico and Syracuse.
Committee Role and Responsibilities
The CFP Selection Committee ranks the top 25 Division I FBS teams each week, shaping media narratives, bowl selections and the eventual national champion. Its final rankings determine the 12 teams that compete in the College Football Playoff.
Official Statements & Responses
Clark added that Gillin’s prior service on the NCAA oversight committee will help inform the selection process.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are pleased to welcome Doug Gillin to the selection committee,” — Rich Clark, CFP executive director
