College front offices reshape college football

Explores how college programs are adopting NFL style front offices to manage rosters and money.

College Front Offices Reshape the Game

Across the NCAA, the move toward NFL style front offices is accelerating. Two-thirds of FBS programs now assign a general manager or an equivalent role to oversee player evaluation, contract work, and roster strategy, a shift driven by immediate eligibility rules, NIL payments, and rising program costs. Texas Tech, with James Blanchard now serving as GM, illustrates the path from online posts to campus policy as a central figure coordinating scouts and a salary cap like framework. Other schools have added former NFL personnel or consultants to build professional talent departments, including stops at Vanderbilt, Nebraska, Stanford, and Cal. Revenue sharing and buyouts are increasingly part of player contracts, signaling a move beyond the traditional scholarship model.

The setup varies by school. Some programs vest most authority in the head coach, others place power in a separate athletics led by a GM and a personnel staff. The NFL like timing creates new frictions because the season ends before all deals are closed, and recruitment now involves agents and contracts as much as film and offers. This evolution raises questions about fairness, compliance, and the student experience, even as supporters argue that a more professional approach can improve efficiency, retention, and results.

The shift signals a broader change in college sports where market forces and professional staffing compress into a once amateur world. If more programs push big budgets and buyout clauses, gaps between big programs and smaller programs could widen, altering competitive balance and access. The GM role can drive faster decisions but also risk sidelining coaches or student athletes if power is not clearly defined.

Yet the transformation is not just about money. It tests governance, transparency and the balance of power in athletics. Without clear standards, fans may worry about fairness and the purpose of college athletics. The true test will be whether these front offices can deliver on competitive results while protecting education and ethics.

Highlights

The shape of college football is shifting, and the long view will test values as much as wins.