Cincinnati is making moves behind the scenes as it reshapes its football front office, bringing in Western Kentucky’s Nick Lamattina to step into the role of Director of Player Personnel-a position previously held by Jack Griffith.
Lamattina arrives after four seasons guiding recruiting efforts at Western Kentucky, a program that’s quietly built a reputation for developing NFL-caliber talent. During his time in Bowling Green, the Hilltoppers went 33-20 and sent players like Bailey Zappe, Upton Stout, and Malachi Corley to the league. That kind of track record speaks volumes, especially for a program outside the Power Five.
There’s also a familiar connection here. Cincinnati General Manager Zach Grant spent five years at WKU from 2017 to 2021, overlapping with Lamattina’s tenure. That shared history likely played a role in this hire, and it gives Lamattina a head start in aligning with the Bearcats’ vision.
If Lamattina’s responsibilities in Cincinnati mirror what he handled at WKU, he’ll be tasked with managing the Bearcats’ transfer portal strategy-a critical piece in today’s college football landscape. With player movement at an all-time high, having someone who understands how to evaluate and land impact transfers is more important than ever.
Cincinnati still has another key position to fill, as Assistant GM Carter Wilson recently left to join Brian Hartline’s staff at USF. Head coach Scott Satterfield acknowledged the ongoing process of rounding out the staff, and Lamattina’s addition is a meaningful first step in that rebuild.
This move signals Cincinnati’s intent to stay aggressive on the personnel front. In a college football world where roster management can make or break a program, bringing in someone with Lamattina’s experience and eye for talent could pay dividends quickly.