Maryland athletic director Damon Evans was named to the committee in charge of selecting the field for the College Football Playoff, CFP executive director Rich Clark announced Tuesday.
“I am truly honored to be selected to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee,” Evans said in a statement distributed by the university. “Representing the University of Maryland and Maryland Athletics in this capacity is a privilege I take with great pride. As someone who is passionate about the game, I look forward to contributing to the future of college football alongside my fellow committee members. This is an exciting opportunity and I am grateful for the chance to serve in this important role and to represent Maryland on a national stage.”
During Evans’ seven-year tenure with the Terps, they have captured 49 Big Ten regular-season and tournament championships, the third-most of any member of the conference since joining the league in 2014. During that span, the school has collected seven NCAA titles. Should Maryland football find itself in playoff contention during Evans’ time on the selection committee, he would be recused from discussions and votes about the Terps.
Prior to his promotion to athletic director in 2018, Evans joined Maryland in December 2014 as executive athletic director and chief financial officer. Before arriving in College Park, he was a managing partner at Evolution Sports Partners, vice president of fundraising at IMG College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and vice president of business development at the Markley Group.
Evans was athletic director at Georgia from 2004 to 2010 during which the school won 13 national championships and 19 Southeastern Conference titles. He resigned from his position with Georgia in 2010 shortly after receiving a DUI charge. A four-year starter on Georgia’s football team, Evans earned a bachelor’s in finance in 1992 and a master’s in sports management in 1994.
“Damon Evans is highly regarded across the country for the valuable industry leadership he has provided throughout his career,” Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti said in the same statement. “He will be a tremendous asset to the Selection Committee.”
In addition to Evans, the committee appointed Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades as chair of the selection committee for the 2025 season. Former Michigan State and Cincinnati coach Mark Dantonio, former sports journalist Ivan Maisel, Middle Tennessee State athletic director Chris Massaro and former Ole Miss All-American tight end Wesley Walls were also named to the 13-member panel.
Clark also announced that the committee asked USA Today writer and former committee member Steve Wieberg (2014-2017) to return for one year.
The new members will begin three-year terms on the committee. They replace Navy athletic director Chet Gladchuk, former Wake Forest and Baylor coach Jim Grobe, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, former All-American Nebraska offensive guard Will Shields and former sports journalist Kelly Whiteside, whose terms expired. Former Toledo and Missouri coach Gary Pinkel stepped down after one year due to other commitments.
“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 in the same statement. “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.”
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