In college football, everyone wants to win, but achieving victory is becoming more difficult, especially with the rise of the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals and the transfer portal. The result? A growing divide between wealthy programs and smaller schools. Schools with bigger budgets, like SEC powerhouses Alabama and Georgia, can buy top talent, while smaller schools struggle to keep up.
Virginia is already aware of this trend. The Cavaliers face the challenge of competing with programs that can outspend them. That’s why they need a general manager (GM) to stay competitive. While this role has traditionally been found in the NFL, it’s becoming a necessity at the college level. A GM handles player contracts, team finances, talent acquisition, and conflict resolution—tasks that a head coach like Tony Elliott simply cannot manage alone.
Several top programs, including Alabama, Ohio State, Texas, and Michigan, already have general managers. Many of these GMs have NFL backgrounds, such as Michigan’s Sean Magee, who previously served as the chief of staff for the Chicago Bears. Another example is Notre Dame, which recently hired Mike Martin, the Detroit Lions’ director of scouting. Martin helped turn around the Lions, and now he will bring his expertise to the Fighting Irish.
Virginia could benefit from adding someone with NFL experience. While Coach Elliott has a solid background, including ten years at Clemson, a GM could handle the business side of the program. The Cavaliers need to break free from mediocrity, and bringing in a GM could give them a competitive edge, especially in recruiting.
Other schools in the ACC are already adapting to this trend. For instance, North Carolina hired NFL legend Bill Belichick to help rebuild their program, and soon after, they brought in Mike Lombardi as GM. Lombardi has over 30 years of NFL experience and will certainly improve the Tar Heels’ operations.
Stanford, which faces challenges similar to Virginia, recently hired Andrew Luck as their GM. Luck, a former star quarterback, could provide the program with valuable insights and boost recruiting efforts. For Virginia, there are also potential candidates among their alumni, such as Chris Long, a two-time Super Bowl champion, and Rodney McLeod Jr., a recent NFL retiree known for his leadership.
Another option is promoting Justin Speros, who is currently Virginia’s director of recruiting. Speros has a background with Elliott at Clemson and even spent some time with the Cleveland Browns.
In conclusion, Virginia needs to act fast to remain competitive in college football’s rapidly changing landscape. Adding a GM could help elevate their program and provide the necessary support for Coach Elliott to succeed.
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