ZRG, a full-service talent advisory firm dubbed by USA Today as the “most respected search firm in college sports,” announced Aug. 29 that Chad Chatlos, Managing Director at TurnkeyZRG, has been named by the outlet to its list of the 25 Most Powerful People in College Football heading into the 2025 season.
Chatlos is recognized alongside conference commissioners, university presidents, media executives, coaches, and agents for his impact in shaping the leadership landscape of college football. USA Today highlighted his track record of leading searches for essential positions in college athletics, including:
- Commissioner searches for the Big Ten and Big 12
- Athletic Director and Head Coach placements at programs such as Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Michigan State
- Key executive leadership roles across the NCAA and Power Five conferences
Among the 2025 season’s opening slate of games, 10 of the AP Top 25’s head coaches on the sidelines were placed by Chatlos — a testament to his influence on the sport’s trajectory.
Under the leadership of Len Perna, ZRG’s sports and entertainment practice has consistently been tapped to handle the industry’s most visible and sensitive leadership transitions.
“Chad has become the trusted voice in college athletics when the stakes are highest,” said Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG. “But his impact also reflects something larger: ZRG’s ability to serve as a trusted partner at the very top of industries. Whether it’s helping shape the leadership of the Big Ten or guiding a Fortune 500 board in a CEO transition, ZRG is where organizations turn when the future is on the line.”
Hartmann added, “We are proud that in college sports — just as in private equity, healthcare, technology, higher education, and countless other industries — the most respected names rely on ZRG to get their most important leadership decisions right. That breadth and consistency is what sets us apart.”
Chatlos joined ZRG in 2020 and quickly built a reputation as the leading search executive in college sports. His ability to combine deep relationships, creative problem-solving, and the backing of ZRG’s data-driven platform has made him a key figure in shaping decisions that impact the direction of programs and conferences.
“College athletics is evolving faster than ever, and the leadership decisions being made today will define the future of the sport,” said Chatlos. “I’m honored to be included on this list and proud of the role ZRG plays in helping our partners — across both sports and business — make the right calls. But what we do is also a team sport, and I couldn’t do it without Katy Young Staudt, Jocelyn Gates, and Tucker Lewis — key members of our college sports practice who make this work possible every day.”
The full USA Today ranking includes the likes of SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, University of Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders, and ESPN analyst and former Alabama head coach Nick Saban.
