Tech AD Kirby Hocutt talks playoff committee and Big 12 title game
On January 14th, the College Football Playoff (CFP) Committee announced that Texas Tech Director of Athletics, Kirby Hocutt had been named the new chairman of the committee that selects the four participants in college football’s national semi-final games. Last week, Hocutt joined the radio program “Tech Talk” (hosted by Aaron Dickens and Chris Level) to discuss his new role on the CFP and other issues facing the Big 12.
One assumption fans may have is that Hocutt’s position on the CFP committee will help the Texas Tech football program but that is not the case. In the event that Texas Tech is part of the committee’s discussion, Hocutt will not have a voice.
"“We hang up hats with our names on them and when we walk into that room, it’s a national appointment committed to ranking the top 25 college football teams in the country regardless of what part of the country, what conference, what school we’ve been affiliated with. Anytime schools that you’re affiliated with are discussed, you’re outside the room.” Hocutt said."
In fact, according to what Hocutt told Dickens and Level, his influence will not grow despite being the chairman. Rather, the Sherman, TX native said that his new responsibilities will be more in the realm of managerial procedures.
"“I think the primary change… will be, obviously, handling the media responsibilities that come with the chairmanship. You know, staying in Dallas on Tuesday evening to do the media obligations that come with being the chair and putting together the itinerary and agenda for our meetings. That will be primary responsibilities added to serving on the CFP committee.”"
However, Kirby Hocutt is the only person on the committee with ties to the Big 12 so while he is not trying to push a Big 12 or Texas Tech agenda, he is in a unique position among Big 12 school administrators or athletics directors. When asked why he was selected for the committee and subsequently chosen to be its chair, Hocutt was humble with his reply.
"“To be honest, why the selected me…I’m not certain. You’d probably have to ask someone on the management committee or Bill Hancock [the executive director of the CFP committee]. You know I am flattered and honored to be serving in this role. It is a big responsibility and I look forward to it. It’s a great opportunity.”"
The interview concluded with the hosts getting some interesting comments from Kirby Hocutt on the possibility of a Big 12 conference football title game. Many in the media have argued that the lack of such a game has hurt the Big 12 in terms of national perception while also taking away one final chance for the conference champion to impress the committee against a quality opponent.
"“I think we’ve got a lot of things to discuss as a league as we look forward.” Hocutt admitted. “And much has been written about, [what has been] said by select presidents lately so there’s business that is in front of us and… I think decisions to be made on how we best position Big 12 conference football moving forward. And that discussion will be around a championship game with the current 10-team configuration or are there advantages to looking at expansion. And those will be discussion points that we’ve spent considerable time on but I know will be the focus for us as we move forward as well.”"
Hocutt indicated that the Big 12 AD’s and school presidents will be meeting in February and May so fans should look for possible updates in the next few months. But will any decisions be made in time to impact that 2016 football season? That question was also put to Hocutt.
"“It would probably be a challenge to get it done that quickly. I know that when we looked at the 2016 conference football schedule, that it was built where if that decision was made there is the opportunity to have a championship game this year. But it seems awfully soon to me and I’ll be surprised if a championship game moves forward that quickly after the 2016 season.”"
Level and Dickens made sure to let Hocutt know that Texas Tech fans expect to see a Double-T pin on the lapel of his jacket as he addresses the national media every week during the 2016 season.
And though a pin being shown to millions of viewers might be the only tangible benefit Hocutt’s position as CFP Committee chairman might bring to Texas Tech, it is not a stretch to say that being led by a man like Kirby Hocutt who is held in such high regard by his peers and colleagues speaks well of the leadership under which our Red Raider athletic teams are operating.
Next: Texas Tech in top four for 2017 OL
“Tech Talk” can be heard daily from 3 – 6 pm CST on 97.3 FM in Lubbock or online at www.doublet97.3.com. The entire interview with Kirby Hocutt can be heard here.