TurnkeyZRG Executive Recognized Among College Football's Most Influential Figures

Chad Chatlos, Managing Director at executive search firm TurnkeyZRG, has been included in USA TODAY's ranking of the 25 most influential people in college football for the 2025 season. This recognition places Chatlos among conference commissioners, university presidents, media executives, coaches, and agents who collectively shape the leadership landscape of collegiate athletics.

The acknowledgment underscores the significant impact of executive search firms in high-stakes leadership transitions across industries. USA TODAY highlighted Chatlos's track record of leading searches for critical positions in college sports, including commissioner searches for both the Big Ten and Big 12 conferences. His work extends to athletic director and head coach placements at prominent programs such as Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Michigan State, along with key executive leadership roles across the NCAA and Power Five conferences.

The depth of Chatlos's influence is evident in the fact that 10 of the AP Top 25's head coaches in the season's opening games were placed by him. This demonstrates how executive search expertise directly affects competitive outcomes and institutional success in collegiate sports. TurnkeyZRG's reputation as the most respected search firm in college sports has been built under the leadership of Len Perna, with the firm consistently handling the industry's most visible and sensitive leadership transitions.

Larry Hartmann, CEO of parent company ZRG, emphasized Chatlos's role as a trusted voice in college athletics during critical decision-making periods. Hartmann noted that Chatlos's impact reflects ZRG's broader ability to serve as a trusted partner at the highest levels of various industries, from guiding Fortune 500 boards in CEO transitions to shaping leadership in major conferences. This intersection of sports and business leadership highlights the transferable value of executive search expertise across sectors.

Chatlos joined ZRG in 2020 and quickly established himself as the leading search executive in college sports. His approach combines deep industry relationships, creative problem-solving, and the support of ZRG's data-driven platform, making him instrumental in decisions that affect entire programs and conferences. Chatlos acknowledged the rapid evolution of college athletics, stating that current leadership decisions will define the sport's future, particularly as the industry faces transformative changes in governance, media rights, and athlete compensation models.

The full ranking, featuring other influential figures such as SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and ESPN analyst Nick Saban, is available at https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/football/2024/08/28/college-football-most-powerful-people-2025/74998608007/. As the 2025 season begins, ZRG continues to play a central role in decisions that shape not only college sports but also demonstrate the critical importance of strategic leadership placement in major business environments.