As the world of college sports evolves with NIL deals and revenue-sharing, programs are increasingly turning to general managers to shape their rosters. Indiana University is the latest to join this trend, hiring Ryan Carr, the senior vice president of player personnel for the Indiana Pacers, as their executive director of basketball.
Carr's journey is a homecoming of sorts. He began as a student manager under the legendary Bobby Knight from 1992 to 1996.
After graduating, Carr joined the Indiana Pacers' video department before taking on a role as an assistant coach at UTEP from 1999 to 2003. He returned to the Pacers as a scout and eventually climbed the ranks to become SVP of player personnel.
Now, at Indiana, Carr will report directly to Darian DeVries, focusing on building the roster and contributing to other program areas.
The role of a general manager in college sports is becoming essential, especially as the landscape shifts. From scouting and NIL management to payroll and player retention, GMs handle the future so coaches can concentrate on the present. Programs like Duke, Michigan, and Arizona have already embraced this model, ranking high in KenPom’s ratings.
Mark Pope, during his introductory press conference in 2024, acknowledged the changing demands on head coaches and expressed openness to hiring a GM. However, nearly two years later, Kentucky has yet to make such a move. Pope has voiced both interest and concerns, appreciating the manpower and focus a GM brings but wary of potential communication issues that could arise from added separation.
Jordan Poydras, a senior advisor for Players Health and former player under Pope, sees the GM role as beneficial, providing a buffer that can streamline decisions and improve contract negotiations.
Indiana's timing in hiring Carr is strategic, with the season winding down and the transfer portal set to open soon. The signing period for the 2026 high school class is also on the horizon, and Kentucky finds itself without any commitments, while most top prospects are already committed elsewhere.
As the season wraps up, Pope and his staff face the challenge of balancing current responsibilities with future planning. Pope emphasizes the importance of focusing on the present, ensuring that players and staff are fully committed to the current season.
The addition of a GM could allow programs like Kentucky to focus on immediate goals while having someone dedicated to future planning. It's a move that many believe could benefit the program and its players immensely.