West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck is joining the NCAA as the executive vice president of regulatory affairs and will report directly to NCAA president Mark Emmert, it was announced Wednesday.

"This is a time of fundamental change in intercollegiate athletics that will set the foundation for the years ahead," Luck, 54, said in a statement. "The challenges both internal and external to the NCAA present a unique opportunity to help shape the landscape for hundreds of thousands of young men and women. It is an honor to join President Emmert, the NCAA staff, and our member institutions in this journey."

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The newly created position allows Luck to oversee the day-to-day operations as he brings academic and membership affairs, the eligibility center and enforcement under one umbrella.

"I am very pleased to have Oliver joining our team in the national office," Emmert said in a statement. "He brings to us wide-ranging, hands-on experience from across athletic, academic, and business worlds. Most important, his commitment to the success and well-being of our student-athletes is unquestionable. He has demonstrated that commitment on the ground and throughout his life. I'm anxious for him to get started with us."

Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby chaired the search committee for the position, which Luck will begin in early 2015.

"Oliver is a valued colleague and a good friend," Bowlsby said in a statement. "This is an excellent fit for the NCAA and for college athletics. Oliver is smart, analytical, energetic and insightful. While this is a big loss for WVU and the Big 12 it is a tremendous hire for our national association."

Luck was also a member of the inaugural College Football Playoff selection committee as the Big 12 representative. He will be replaced by a Big 12 athletic director on next year's selection committee by this spring, CFP executive director Bill Hancock said.

Oliver Luck has served as the West Virginia athletic director since 2010, and he was instrumental in moving the Mountaineers to the Big 12. Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports

"Oliver has brought a great perspective to the selection committee, and we will miss him," Hancock said. "He was a valued member whose views were wise and always thoughtful. We wish him well and know that he will be successful in his new position. We're glad he will remain in the college athletics family."

Hancock said the Big 12 will nominate a replacement, and the management committee will review the nomination and make the final decision. The five power conferences (SEC, Big Ten, Pac-12, Big 12 and ACC) are represented on the CFP committee by an athletic director.

"Hopefully they'll get somebody that talks with a twang," Baylor coach Art Briles told ESPN.com's Heather Dinich. "Let's get somebody that understands what fixin' means. Let's get somebody from down in this part of the nation. Oliver was our representative, but last time I checked, West Virginia is a long way from Texas and Oklahoma. That's nothing to do with him, that's just the reality of the situation. I would certainly hope that we would influence the committee with somebody from this part of the nation.

"Secondly, my suggestion would be to get two people 35 years old or younger on the College Football Playoff committee ... Why should people my age make all the decisions about this process and view it categorically like I would view it? People from my generation have different thoughts and ideas and presumptions than somebody who's 35 years and younger. To me, college football is not just for people who are my age or older. It's for everybody. It should be equally represented, but that's just me talking."

Luck had been West Virginia's athletic director since August 2010, and he was instrumental in getting the Mountaineers from the Big East to the Big 12.

"It has been a tremendous honor to serve my alma mater as director of athletics for the past four and a half years," Luck said. "As those who have spent time in West Virginia know, this is truly a special place. ... As a member of the Big 12 Conference, the university is well-positioned for future success and I know that great things lie ahead for WVU."

Luck's son, Andrew, is the Indianapolis Colts' quarterback, and the NCAA offices are based in Indianapolis.

"I spent most of my adult life trying to get as far away from my folks as possible," Luck said jokingly. "Very excited."

ESPN's Brett McMurphy and Joe Schad, ESPN.com's Heather Dinich and Mike Wells, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.