ZRG Executive Chad Chatlos Recognized Among College Football's Most Influential Figures
Chad Chatlos of ZRG has been named to USA TODAY's list of the 25 most powerful people in college football, highlighting his critical role in shaping leadership decisions that define the sport's future direction.
Chad Chatlos, Managing Director at TurnkeyZRG, has been named by USA TODAY to its list of the 25 Most Powerful People in College Football heading into the 2025 season. This recognition places Chatlos alongside conference commissioners, university presidents, media executives, coaches, and agents for his significant impact on shaping the leadership landscape of college football.
USA TODAY highlighted Chatlos's track record of leading searches for the most critical positions in college athletics, including commissioner searches for the Big Ten and Big 12 conferences, athletic director and head coach placements at major programs such as Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Michigan State, and key executive leadership roles across the NCAA and Power Five conferences. The depth of his influence is demonstrated by the fact that 10 of the AP Top 25's head coaches in this weekend's opening games were placed by Chatlos.
Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG, stated that Chatlos has become the trusted voice in college athletics when the stakes are highest, reflecting ZRG's ability to serve as a trusted partner at the very top of industries. Hartmann emphasized that ZRG's breadth and consistency across multiple sectors, including private equity, healthcare, technology, and higher education, sets the firm apart in handling critical leadership decisions.
Chatlos joined ZRG in 2020 and quickly established himself as the industry's leading search executive in college sports. His approach combines deep relationships, creative problem-solving, and the backing of ZRG's data-driven platform, making him a key figure in decisions that impact entire programs and conferences. Chatlos acknowledged the collaborative nature of his work, crediting key members of his team including Katy Young Staudt, Jocelyn Gates, and Tucker Lewis for making the achievements possible.
The full USA TODAY ranking, which includes other influential figures such as SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, University of Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders, and ESPN analyst Nick Saban, is available at https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/2024/08/29/college-football-most-powerful-people-2025-season/74998610007/. As college athletics continues to evolve rapidly, the leadership decisions being made today will define the future of the sport, with ZRG positioned at the center of these critical determinations that shape both college sports and the broader business world.