No place in faculty soccer has gained extra worth over the previous 5 years than common supervisor. From booming salaries that now attain into seven figures to former NFL GMs and head coaches becoming a member of the ranks — and even celebrities like Shaquille O’Neal taking up honorary roles — the place has grown considerably in consideration, stature and staffing.
In contrast to the skilled ranks, the place the overall supervisor position is generally uniform, how faculty packages empower GMs differs dramatically from college to highschool. Georgia head coach Kirby Good lately summed up the problem of even defining the position.
“What does a common supervisor do, in your thoughts? I believe it varies from group to group,” Good stated. “We now have those that do varied issues as a substitute of pinpointing the overall supervisor, as a result of I believe if I ask each coach what their common supervisor does, all of them do one thing totally different. So, I imply, I can not work out what you outline it as, as a result of once you ask me what’s a common supervisor, I wish to know what you assume it does, as a result of within the NFL they do [it] totally different than what they do in any respect.”
That ambiguity made CBS Sports activities’ job of compiling an inventory of the highest faculty soccer common managers particularly difficult. The position stays comparatively new, and there is no clear consensus on what constitutes success. Some packages worth recruiting experience. Others prioritize expertise analysis and depart recruiting to the teaching employees. Some need elite organizers above all else.
In some ways, what makes an awesome faculty soccer GM is within the eye of the beholder.
Nonetheless, CBS Sports activities spoke with a variety of knowledgeable sources to establish the trade’s high figures. That included coaches, common managers, teaching brokers, personnel executives, NIL brokers and different key stakeholders. Emphasis was positioned on on-field success, recruiting observe document, and the power of the connection and belief between the GM and head coach. The record primarily contains these with the official GM title, with only some exceptions made for people who carry out the position below a unique title.
What’s NIL Go? Explaining the Faculty Sports activities Fee’s initiative to observe identify, picture and likeness
Will Backus
On the high of their sport
These faculty soccer executives have been recognized by their friends because the trade’s greatest.
Clayton Barnes, Temple
Normal supervisor
Barnes was Temple coach Ok.C. Keeler’s first rent after he proved his worth working as each a common supervisor and director of soccer operations and participant personnel whereas collectively at Sam Houston State. The Texas A&M graduate helped assemble the 2020 FCS nationwide championship roster and was a important a part of this system’s the transition to the FBS degree the next 12 months. Regardless of having the bottom income in Convention USA and a NIL price range within the tens of hundreds, Barnes and Keeler put collectively a 10-3 staff final season, which included a New Orleans bowl victory, earlier than leaving for Temple.
Tyler Barnes, Iowa
Normal supervisor, chief of employees
An Iowa alumnus, Barnes has worn a number of hats for the Hawkeyes since beginning with the group again in 2008 as a pupil intern. Working alongside coach Kirk Ferentz, Barnes has constructed a robust status for recognizing what works for Iowa as a developmental program and figuring out the kind of gamers who’re going to flourish below Ferentz and defensive coordinator Phil Parker. As one rival GM put it, Barnes has “carried out an awesome job of discovering the precise guys who match their program.” The Hawkeyes have not fairly damaged by means of to the Faculty Soccer Playoff but, however they’ve been a mannequin of consistency throughout Barnes’ lengthy tenure with this system. With an accounting background, Barnes is well-equipped to deal with the fashionable actuality of wage cap projections, budgeting and negotiating.
James Blanchard, Texas Tech
Normal supervisor
Blanchard’s work made Texas Tech the discuss of the offseason. He shepherded an aggressive portal method that culminated within the nation’s No. 2 transfer class, according to 247Sports. Blanchard has the total belief of Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire and the liberty to increase scholarship gives to the gamers he likes greatest. Texas Tech’s aggressive spending has elicited criticism — and doubtless some jealousy — nevertheless it has additionally made the Purple Raiders as related as they have been in years. Blanchard’s identify got here up with everybody we talked to for this record.
“They get numerous hate for it however I would be doing the identical factor,” stated one Huge 12 GM. “If in case you have the cash to go get individuals, you are going to go do it.”
Matt Doherty, Washington
Senior director of participant personnel
Washington coach Jedd Fisch, who has an extended NFL resume, is not prepared to present out a GM title as a result of it is such a unique job on the faculty degree than what he is accustomed to. However do not let that confuse you on how vital Doherty is to the operation. Doherty rode shotgun with Fisch on what might need been probably the most exceptional program turnaround of 2023 when Arizona went from 5-7 in 2022 to 10-3 with an Alamo Bowl win over Oklahoma. The Wildcats have been restricted of their NIL sources however hit on main successes with guys like receiver Tetairoa McMillan and quarterback Noah Fifita. The Huskies are working with a smaller price range than a few of their Huge Ten friends however ought to have an upward trajectory in Yr 2 after signing the No. 23 recruiting class in 2025.
“He did a extremely, actually good job at Arizona and I believe they will get that place flipped round,” stated one personnel supply impressed with Doherty.
Patrick Embleton, Illinois
Normal supervisor
You recognize you are doing one thing proper once you survive a number of teaching adjustments like Embleton — who has been at Illinois since 2013. At a spot lengthy thought of a sleeping big, Embleton is doing his greatest work paired with Bret Bielema and a staff that would make the CFP this season. The Illinois GM has sturdy analysis abilities, is aware of precisely what Bielema desires in a participant and has put collectively a hardnosed roster that is not notably enjoyable to play towards. Coming off a formidable 10-3 2024 document, Illinois is on the upswing on the recruiting path, too, and at present has the nation’s No. 27 recruiting class in 2026.
“Not solely after I was within the SEC at Arkansas however after I was at Wisconsin it was exhausting to win over sure groups in a recruiting battle and now we have simply as a lot of a shot as anyone,” Bielema instructed CBS Sports activities. “We received children dedicated to us within the final 12 months the place I beat out the most effective of the most effective within the SEC and Huge Ten. And on this 12 months’s class dedicated to us, similar deal. I’ve by no means had that.”
Andy Frank, Penn State
Normal supervisor of personnel and recruitment
Frank has been with Penn State head coach James Franklin for all 12 years of his time in Blissful Valley, serving to construct a program that made a CFP semifinal a 12 months in the past and is anticipated to compete for a nationwide championship this season. The Nittany Lions constantly recruit properly at the highschool degree and deserve credit score for the way properly they succeeded in retaining high stars like working again Nicholas Singleton and defensive finish Dani Dennis-Sutton for yet another run at a title. Not one to hunt reward, Frank has quietly helmed an operation that may win huge recruiting battles for guys like Micah Parsons and out-evaluate others to uncover future first-round gems like tight finish Tyler Warren.
“He is an awesome behind the scenes man,” stated one Huge Ten GM. “He is aware of his strengths and weaknesses and does an awesome job organizing, planning and figuring out their tradition and the fellows that match their tradition.”
Wes Fritz, Houston
Normal supervisor
Fritz does not get as a lot credit score as he deserves — partly, as a result of he is the son of Houston head coach Willie Fritz. However these within the personnel and recruiting house rave about his analysis abilities and his profitable rosters at Tulane.
“I believe Tulane has very quietly been a number of the greatest evaluators in all the sport the final couple of years,” stated one personnel supply.
Fritz arrived at a Tulane program coming off consecutive 3-9 seasons and achieved main success not solely on the sphere (a 12-2 document in 2022 was a spotlight) but in addition put a number of gamers into the NFL together with working again Tyjae Spears and linebacker Dorian Williams. Given their observe document, many count on the father-son duo to get Houston circled, beginning with a very good incoming switch portal group.
Billy Glasscock, Ole Miss
Normal supervisor
Employed away from Texas, Glasscock performs a important position in Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss operation. He’s properly organized and revered for his administration of the Rebels’ recruiting and scouting operations. Kiffin credited Glasscock for placing collectively the Rebels’ top 15 recruiting class in 2025 — this system’s highest ranked group in near a decade. The highschool recruiting success, led by in-state receiver Caleb Cunningham, was particularly noteworthy as a result of the Rebels nonetheless had their standard success within the switch portal. Ole Miss signed three top-35 transfers for the nation’s No. 4 transfer portal haul.
Zach Grant, Cincinnati
Normal supervisor
A number of personnel executives praised the work Grant and his Cincinnati employees have carried out.
“Thet are actually good in scouting and evaluating,” stated one GM.
Grant, who gained Soccer Scoop’s Participant Personnel Director of the Yr in 2021 whereas at Western Kentucky, has developed a status for sturdy early evaluations and a very good eye for expertise. The dangerous information for Grant is greater faculties comply with his lead as Cincinnati misplaced eight one-time commitments to different Energy 4 packages in 2025. That record contains four-star tight finish Mikkel Skinner (Kentucky) and four-star cornerback Jahmari DeLoatch (Virginia Tech). It hasn’t fairly labored out on the sphere for coach Scott Satterfield by means of his first two years (8-16) however the expertise degree has improved and the trade likes what Satterfield and Grant are attempting to do with the roster.
Stated one other GM: “(Grant’s) very properly revered on this house.”
Brandon Harris, Texas
Normal supervisor
Whenever you signal the nation’s high recruiting class as Brandon Harris and Texas did final season, you are going to make this record. You are additionally going to get an enormous increase as Texas made Harris one of many nation’s highest-paid GMs earlier this 12 months. The previous LSU and North Carolina quarterback is not even 30 years previous but, however has the keys to probably the most highly effective recruiting operation within the nation. It definitely helps to have a sturdy NIL operation, however Harris deserves credit score. One Energy 4 GM admires the belief Harris has constructed with head coach Steve Sarkisian and the synergy the 2 have collectively in placing collectively a roster. The Longhorns are once more scorching on the recruiting path for the category of 2026 and have one of many nation’s high quarterback prospects dedicated in Dia Bell, the son of former NBA participant Raja Bell.
Cole Heard, Tulane
Normal supervisor
Tulane is a Group of six college that continues to recruit extra like a Energy 4, which is a credit score to Heard and coach Jon Sumrall. Simply final week the Inexperienced Wave made nationwide headlines for touchdown former BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff. Heard, an Alabama native, has had appreciable success recruiting and evaluating at Troy and Tulane with Sumrall — the Inexperienced Wave has signed back-to-back top-two portal courses within the American — and is seen as a rising star within the trade.
“He is actually good and he is actually trusted,” stated one trade supply. “I positively assume he will climb the ranks.”
Stated a Energy 4 GM: “I believe Cole does an awesome job. They’ve carried out an awesome job within the portal for the place they’re.”
Sean Magee, Michigan
Affiliate AD for soccer and common supervisor
Magee landed the coup of the 2025 recruiting class when he orchestrated the flip of No. 1 total recruit Bryce Underwood from LSU. He has one of the crucial distinctive backgrounds within the house as a former Navy offensive lineman, Floor Warfare Officer and former chief of employees for the Chicago Bears.
“I am most likely the one MBA who’s sitting on this position,” Magee instructed CBS Sports activities final 12 months. “I am most likely the one quantitative economics main that is sitting on this position. I went to the Naval Academy. I am most likely the one a kind of.”
NIL attorneys and brokers who’ve labored with Magee reward his mind and skill to navigate doubtlessly troublesome negotiations. His arrival in Ann Arbor signaled a shift in Michigan’s method, displaying a higher willingness to be aggressive in NIL efforts to land high expertise corresponding to quarterback Bryce Underwood and five-star offensive deal with Andrew Babalola.
“Give Sean numerous credit score for Bryce Underwood,” stated a personnel supply. “There isn’t any freaking manner you may let this man go well with up for anyone apart from Michigan.”
Marshall Malchow, Oregon
Chief of employees
Malchow might not have the GM title however there is no mistaking his affect behind-the-scenes for Oregon. He’s coach Dan Lanning’s right-hand man and a serious cause for the Geese’ recruiting success. Since reducing his enamel in Nick Saban’s Alabama recruiting behemoth, Malchow had loved success all over the place he is been — from Washington with Chris Petersen to Georgia with Kirby Good to Texas A&M with Jimbo Fisher and now Oregon with Lanning. The previous 247Sports 30-under-30 honoree understands each the the 30,000-foot perspective and makes certain all of the day-to-day duties are fulfilled to maintain the machine buzzing. There aren’t many, if any, individuals within the trade extra extremely revered than Malchow.
Vince Marrow, Louisville
Government director of participant personnel and recruiting
Marrow made main headlines when he left Kentucky for in-state rival Louisville after greater than a decade of big-time recruiting success in Lexington. The transfer was notable not just for the main cash Louisville was investing within the place — greater than $1 million yearly — but in addition that Marrow would go away an on-field position as tight ends coach and affiliate head coach for Louisville’s unofficial GM spot. Marrow, who performed for Nick Saban at Toledo, is an excellent recruiter identified for his work in fertile recruiting areas like Ohio. Alongside Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops, Marrow helped flip what was as soon as an SEC laughingstock right into a program that went to eight consecutive bowl video games earlier than the streak resulted in 2024. The Wildcats additionally gained 10 video games in each 2018 and 2021. Since Marrow arrived at Louisville, the Cardinals have added 5 commits which embrace former Kentucky pledge and four-star offensive line prospect Jarvis Strickland.
Derek Miller, Texas A&M
Normal supervisor
Thought of among the best expertise evaluators in faculty soccer, Miller has introduced success all over the place he is been — together with stops at Bowling Inexperienced and Duke — earlier than following head coach Mike Elko to Texas A&M. Miller, 33, received his begin at Bowling Inexperienced on a employees that included Elko, future Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea and lately retired Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson. He has quietly put collectively terrific recruiting and portal courses for the Aggies to assist bolster a roster that went 8-5 final season. Miller and Elko, who’ve identified one another for greater than a decade, are obsessive about compiling NFL traits within the recruits they pursue and are on the verge of a serious breakthrough. Elko lately stated he believes you want 13 draftable gamers to win the SEC, and the Aggies are proper in that neighborhood due to the work Miller and his employees have carried out.
“We should always get to double digit NFL draft picks this 12 months,” Elko lately stated. “That’ll be the primary time Texas A&M has carried out that in a really very long time.”
Courtney Morgan, Alabama
Normal supervisor
Morgan was on the personal aircraft with Kalen DeBoer when he arrived in Tuscaloosa for the primary time. That speaks to the belief and closeness of their relationship. After USC tried to rent him, Morgan made nationwide headlines when he turned, at the moment, the nation’s highest-paid common supervisor with a three-year deal that averaged $825,000 a 12 months. In taking up a program that Nick Saban guided to 6 nationwide championships, one can count on skepticism — particularly once you do issues in a different way as Morgan and DeBoer have since arriving from Washington. The recruiting success has nonetheless been there, although, as Alabama signed the nation’s No. 3 recruiting class in 2025 which featured No. 2 total recruit Keelon Russsell and is at present on tempo to signal the No. 4 class that includes a nation’s greatest 5 five-stars. The Alabama GM has sturdy relationships all through the nation and earned plaudits for his work in making Washington a nationwide title runner-up in 2023.
“This man has not solely revolutionized the place however he is additionally constantly delivered,” stated one trade supply who works with GMs. “I believe he is the gold customary.”
Mark Pantoni, Ohio State
Normal supervisor, participant personnel
Thought of the Godfather of the place, Pantoni elicits common reward and respect from his trade friends. He arrived at Ohio State with City Meyer and has had constant success below a number of head coaches whereas serving to to remodel how faculty soccer values personnel departments. Fellow common managers praised Pantoni’s sustainability and flexibility to find methods to maintain the Buckeyes on high within the face of exceptional change inside the sport. Often called a robust expertise evaluator, Pantoni has helped put collectively two nationwide championship rosters, together with final 12 months’s staff, whereas in Columbus.
Will Redmond, Auburn
Normal supervisor of participant personnel
Household ties to the college helped Auburn pull Redmond away from LSU, and the Auburn GM has helped rework this system’s expertise base. The primary two years of the Hugh Freeze period have not gone as followers have wished, however trade and personnel sources credit score the work Redmond and his staff have carried out in getting the required expertise to achieve success within the SEC after taking up from Bryan Harsin. Auburn signed the nation’s No. 6 recruiting class (led by in-state 5-star Malik Autry) after which loaded up within the switch portal with a stacked group headlined by Georgia Tech receiver Eric Singleton.
“They’ve cleaned up over there the final two years and if they’ll get the quarterback downside proper, they will be an absolute downside,” stated one personnel supply. “In the event that they transfer on from Hugh, somebody will take over one of the crucial loaded rosters within the nation that has simply not produced.”
Jordan Sorrells, Clemson
Normal supervisor
Clemson takes a novel method to recruiting, nearly fully eschewing using the switch portal, however Sorrels is aware of what head coach Dabo Swinney desires and has constructed a sustainable mannequin that focuses on high-character highschool recruits. The previous Furman quarterback received his first job out of school at Chick-fil A earlier than touchdown a job at his alma mater and finally teaming up with Swinney at Clemson. One rival GM praised Sorrels and Clemson’s skill to get its highschool recruits on the sphere in a well timed trend and keep away from a number of the huge portal departures different packages face when gamers do not get sufficient early enjoying time. Clemson tends to take smaller recruiting courses, specializing in high quality over amount, and has landed at the very least one five-star every year since 2020. Sorrels is universally preferred within the trade and friends imagine his demeanor and persona play an enormous position within the sturdy tradition he is constructed inside the personnel and recruiting departments.
“He is unbelievable,” stated a Energy 4 GM. “He is right down to Earth and does a implausible job.”
Barton Simmons, Vanderbilt
Normal supervisor
Simmons, a former 247Sports nationwide analyst and scouting director, could not say no when a buddy he had identified since fifth grade got here calling and requested him to be Vanderbilt’s common supervisor. The Yale graduate and Vandy head coach Clark Lea, who have been additionally highschool teammates, make up maybe probably the most cerebral coach-GM pairing in faculty soccer as they took on the arduous job of making an attempt to raise the Commodores into one thing greater than an SEC doormat. It has been powerful sledding however 2024 noticed the breakthrough Simmons and Lea knew was doable when Vanderbilt knocked off No. 1 Alabama and set off a wild celebration by means of Nashville. Identified for his eager eye for expertise, Simmons is banking on his analysis abilities to present Vanderbilt a bonus because it tries to maintain climbing up the SEC ladder.
Austin Thomas, LSU
Senior affiliate AD for soccer administration
Thomas deserves numerous credit score for beginning the GM development in faculty soccer. As one of many first to get the title whereas working for Ed Orgeron at LSU, Thomas has not solely made the place extra mainstream, he is helped develop a number of guys who would go on to have main personnel roles across the nation. Thomas is a big-picture thinker who is nice at hiring personnel expertise, organizing a cohesive technique and executing it together with his staff. These within the house give Thomas numerous credit score for LSU’s aggressive — and profitable — switch portal method final December that resulted within the No. 1 total portal haul. Dropping No. 1 recruit Bryce Underwood was a blow, however the Tigers could also be higher off in the long term for the way Thomas and his employees redeployed these monetary sources elsewhere in an effort that has many choosing LSU to make the CFP. Giving QB Garrett Nussmeier two high-caliber receivers in Kentucky switch Barrion Brown and Oklahoma switch Nic Anderson might show notably impactful this season.
Stated one GM: “Austin Thomas is the mastermind, the blueprint, the method. He is simply so sensible and progressive.”
Andy Vaughn, NC State
Assistant AD, common supervisor
Vaughn has had success all over the place he is been, serving to put collectively high 25 recruiting courses at Nebraska, Miami and Arizona State. Friends cited his skill to construct belief with coaches with totally different personalities and run environment friendly and profitable operations at faculties with a variety of strengths and weaknesses. With a background that features operations, recruiting and personnel, Vaughn is the type of jack-of-all trades you want on this quickly evolving interval of school soccer.
The NFL wave
As faculty soccer strikes towards a extra skilled mannequin, it has attracted NFL veterans to tackle GM and participant personnel roles. We did not embrace the GMs who’ve lately arrived from the NFL as a result of it is nonetheless too quickly, but when they’ve the success in faculty soccer that they did within the skilled ranks, it is a good guess at the very least a number of of them will make the lower for subsequent 12 months’s record. Listed here are 5 names, particularly, to observe intently over the subsequent 12 months.
Mike Lombardi, North Carolina: Lombardi has already made waves as faculty soccer’s highest-paid GM at $1.5 million yearly. Lombardi, who we profiled extensively right here, is probably probably the most attention-grabbing GM within the house as Invoice Belichick’s right-hand man at North Carolina. There have by no means been extra eyes on UNC soccer because the world tunes in to see what Lombardi and Belichick can accomplish.
Andrew Luck, Stanford: The previous Indianapolis Colts quarterback is perhaps probably the most high-profile GM within the sport and one who elicits appreciable intrigue for whether or not different faculties will undertake Stanford’s mannequin. Luck stands out as the closest factor to an NFL GM, as he has the ability to rent and fireplace coaches. He is already wielded it it by letting go Troy Taylor and changing him with former Panthers head coach Frank Reich for a one-year stint.
Mike Martin, Notre Dame: Martin is already getting buzz for his work at Notre Dame after arriving there in March from the Detroit Lions. He most lately was the Lions’ director of scouting development but in addition labored for the Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans throughout a two-decade run within the NFL.
Jim Nagy, Oklahoma: Nagy left the Senior Bowl to revolutionize Oklahoma’s personnel and recruiting departments. In contrast to most of the GMs on the record who’re immediately tied to the top coach, Nagy stories to the AD and works “alongside” head coach Brent Venables. Nagy has a well-trained scout’s eye after years within the NFL after which because the Senior Bowl’s govt director the place he yearly picked the sport’s high seniors for the week-long occasion in Cell.
Ron Rivera, Cal: The previous Carolina Panthers head coach has already been a part of an influence wrestle between the college and a few of its largest boosters within the quick time he is been again in Berkley. The boosters gained the battle and have empowered Rivera with full oversight over the soccer program. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see how Rivera manages the operation sooner or later after an offseason exodus noticed the Bears lose stars like Fernando Mendoza and Jaydn Ott.
Subsequent up?
These 10 both do not have the GM title or simply began of their place, however are very properly considered within the trade and are a very good guess to make this record sooner or later.
| Identify | Faculty |
|---|---|
| Marshall Cherrington | Cal |
| Alex Collins | Colorado State |
| Taylor Edwards | Miami |
| Eron Hodges | Alabama |
| Derek Hoodjer | Iowa State |
| Brandon Lee | Purdue |
| Will Myers | Georgia |
| Sam Popper | Michigan |
| Justin Speros | Virginia |
| Darren Urscher | South Carolina |
