There’s a simple law of the universe that goes something like this: Where there’s a vacuum, there’s always backfill.
So be careful what you wish for.
Oklahoma and Nebraska, two historical blue blood programs of college sports, recently hired two former NFL executives as general managers of their football programs.
Smart, forward thinking and proactive moves amid the fluid player procurement landscape of the sport, right?
That, or a manufactured position of need that will continue to drastically change the power structure of athletic departments all over college sports. Those with the power now – coaches and athletic directors – are willingly giving it up faster than you can say “pay for play.”
Because no one wants to deal with the dynamics of paying players.
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables stands with his team before their game against Army in the 2024 Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.
Not coaches, not athletic directors. Certainly not university presidents.
They don’t have the time nor inclination to figure out salary structure and terms for players, and beyond that, for specific positions. They already have oars in the water, bud. Don’t need more.
Go get the NFL guy, he’ll do it. Give him a job that’s equal parts player procurement (high school and transfer portal) and salary cap manager, and let him work his magic.
Oklahoma hired NFL super scout Jim Nagy, most recently the executive director of the successful Senior Bowl. Nebraska hired New England Patriots director of pro personnel Patrick Stewart. The moves come two months after North Carolina hired Michael Lombardi to have a similar role alongside incoming coach Bill Belichick.
Both are highly qualified, maybe even overqualified. Both will bring fresh ideas and an element of professionalism to the programs.
Both will walk…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/perils-hiring-nfl-executives-control-110601836.html
Author : USA TODAY Sports
Publish date : 2025-02-28 11:06:00
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