Why Kenyatta Wright is an ideal fit as financial director for Oklahoma State football

LAS VEGAS — Mike Gundy isn’t always happy to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of college football, but the Oklahoma State coach understands the importance of it.

His latest move, however, seemed to come more naturally, considering Gundy’s opinion of where college football is currently headed.

Gundy sees players becoming treated as employees rather than student-athletes as the door opens wider and wider on what is allowed in terms of paying players.

Gundy recently hired former Cowboy linebacker Kenyatta Wright as OSU’s director of business and finance, and with the wide range of experience Wright has had in various avenues of football, the move looks like a perfect fit.

While the title might sound more like a pure number-cruncher, Wright’s position will serve as a bridge between the program and the players, or their representatives, when working through financial details at the point when universities are allowed to directly pay players — which isn’t far away.

More: Oklahoma State football great Leslie O’Neal to join Cowboys’ Ring of Honor

“There’s so much in college football now that’s going into a different world,” Gundy said this week at Big 12 Media Days at Allegiant Stadium. “I have a pretty good feel for the part of college football that I’ve done for 35 years, 20 as a head coach. I’m comfortable with the way we operate.

“We’ve been lucky that we were able to hire Kenyatta and make him the director of business and finance, which is essentially a front office for an NFL (franchise).”

It’s the type of position that didn’t exist in college football three years ago, but is becoming widely common now. Yet there’s no defined method for the role or the person who fits it.

Wright’s experience level seems ideal.

Wright, who played for the Jets and Bills after his college career, was…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-kenyatta-wright-ideal-fit-104020962.html

Author : The Oklahoman

Publish date : 2024-07-12 10:40:20

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