Arkansas AD Jeff Long not pursuing Texas job

Arkansas AD Jeff Long will chair the College Football Playoff selection committee. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long said Sunday evening that he is not pursuing the same job at Texas.

Reports have linked Long to the Longhorns' search for an AD to replace the retiring DeLoss Dodds. Chuck Carlson of the Dallas Morning News reported Sunday that Long was among three candidates -- along with West Virginia AD Oliver Luck and Arizona State AD Steve Patterson -- scheduled to interview with the Texas search committee.

Later in the evening, Long addressed the rumors via Twitter and a statement:

“I’m proud to be a Vice Chancellor and the Director of Athletics at the U of A. Further, I’m not seeking a position or engaged in the search process of another University. Chancellor Gearhart is a tremendous leader and a man of high integrity; it is a privilege to work for & with him. I have also great appreciation for the support of President Bobbitt & our Board of Trustees. Together we’ve made critically important decisions to advance our athletics program during my time with the U of A and will have more in the future. I am excited to lead this program and am energized by the prospects of providing the student-athletes and coaches. the facilities and resources they need to compete and excel at the SEC and national levels. Thanks for your support of the Hogs.”

Long, who has held the position at Arkansas since 2008, recently was named the chairman of the College Football Playoff selection committee for 2014.

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Reports have Luck rated as the heavy favorite for the Texas job, and an announcement could be made shortly after the Longhorns' football game at West Virginia on Saturday. Luck is also a member of the CFP selection committee.

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