College basketball programs turning to general managers: Inside the money moves from new-age front offices

GMs are starting to pop up for numerous college programs, the start of NBA-like, full-fledged front offices

By Isaac Trotter Aug 27, 2024 at 12:52 pm ET• 9 min read

Alabama football handed general manager Courtney Morgan a multi-year contract last week worth $825,000 annually in a milestone moment for college athletics. With the transfer portal here to stay and a salary cap likely on its way after the buzzy House settlement agreement, general managers can help navigate those choppy waters for programs.

It's happening in college basketball, too. Fully-staffed front offices are coming to programs and for some, it's already started.

Duke may have been the first to put a name on it when it hired long-time Nike executive Rachel Baker as its general manager just over two years ago.

Fast-forward to now, and numerous teams have followed suit and acquired general managers. Butler hired Tony Bollier from the Milwaukee Bucks in early July to be its new general manager/director of player development. Bollier was the general manager for the Bucks' G League team, the Wisconsin Herd, for two seasons. Now, he's stepping into a brand new position for Thad Matta.