Jeff Long spent over four decades in intercollegiate athletics at the Division I level, serving as both a coach and administrator. He served as an Athletic Director at Eastern Kentucky University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Arkansas, and the University of Kansas. He gained additional experience at 8 other FBS institutions during his career, which included time in four of the Autonomy 5 conferences — the Big 12, Big Ten, ACC and SEC. He has also worked in the Big East, Southwest and Atlantic 10 conferences.
Long was selected as the first-ever chairman of the College Football Playoff selection committee, serving as chairman in 2014 and 2015. He remained a committee member through 2017.
In 2015, Long was recognized as Athletic Director of the Year by the Sports Business Journal and Sports Business Daily. He has been active in NCAA governance, having previously served on the NCAA Management Council, the NCAA’s Sports Wagering Task Force, and the NCAA Championships/Sports Management Cabinet. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the Division I-A Athletic Directors’ Association.