In December, Jim Nagy, the executive director of the Senior Bowl, interviewed for the New York Jets’ general manager position. Although the Jets ultimately hired Darren Mougey, Nagy secured a general manager role at the collegiate level.

Last week, Nagy was officially appointed as Oklahoma’s general manager, where he will work closely with Brent Venables. This was a significant move for the Sooners, as they hired a former NFL scout who had been leading the Senior Bowl since 2018.

The decision to leave his position with the Senior Bowl, where he had helped elevate the game’s profile and established strong ties in Mobile, came as a surprise. However, Nagy felt the opportunity at Oklahoma was too good to pass up, particularly given the school’s vision for the future of college athletics.

Nagy shared his excitement on SiriusXM College Sports Radio, noting that while there were other opportunities, including his interview for the Jets GM role, the prospect of working with Oklahoma football was too compelling. Despite the timing not being ideal—his daughter is still in high school—he emphasized the significance of the program and the potential for success at Oklahoma.

He also expressed his admiration for the leadership at the university, including President Harroz, Joe Castiglione, and Coach Venables, and their commitment to adapting to the changing landscape of college football.

As Oklahoma’s general manager, Nagy will play a pivotal role in roster-building, a position that is becoming increasingly crucial in college football. Many programs now seek candidates with NFL experience for such roles. For instance, former NFL GM Michael Lombardi is now working closely with Bill Belichick at North Carolina, and Notre Dame hired Mike Martin, a former Detroit Lions executive.

At Oklahoma, Nagy emphasized that the roster-building process would be a collaborative effort with Coach Venables. The two developed a strong rapport during the interview process, which solidified Nagy’s decision to accept the role. Nagy shared that the chemistry between them was palpable, with both coaches highly competitive and passionate about the program’s future.

Nagy also expressed a desire to understand what qualities Coach Venables looks for in players, including the intangible traits and non-negotiables that will shape the team’s future. He emphasized that while Venables holds the vision for the program, his role is to identify and deliver the players who fit that vision. Together, they will work closely with Castiglione and Randall Stephenson, Oklahoma’s chief of football, and the entire team is excited about the future ahead.

Oklahoma announces hire of Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy as General Manager

Oklahoma announced on Wednesday that it has hired Jim Nagy, the executive director of the Senior Bowl, as the new general manager for its football program, according to a press release.

Nagy had been the executive director of the Senior Bowl since 2018, overseeing both football and business operations for one of the top college football all-star events in the country.

“This marks a new era in intercollegiate athletics at one of the greatest college football programs in the nation,” Nagy said in the release. “The legacy of excellence that precedes my arrival speaks to the leadership at OU and the university’s commitment to competing at the highest level. I am excited to bring my experience and work ethic to this program, and I’m confident that through collaboration, we can achieve great success. I can’t wait to get to Norman and start working with Coach Venables and his outstanding staff.”

As Oklahoma’s new general manager, Nagy will collaborate closely with head coach Brent Venables to build a roster that can compete for championships, the press release stated. His responsibilities will include overseeing the team’s roster management, talent acquisition, player recruitment, evaluation, retention, and compensation. He will also manage the Sooners’ dealings with rules surrounding name, image, and likeness (NIL), the transfer portal, revenue-sharing, scholarship limits, and eligibility requirements.

“The work required to manage a roster—contract negotiations, player evaluation, strategic planning, recruiting, and retention—demands full-time attention and specialized skills,” Venables said in the statement. “Nagy’s wealth of experience in scouting, recruiting, and retaining top talent will benefit our roster and translate into success on the field. I’m looking forward to working with him, as well as Athletics Director Castiglione, to achieve great things for OU football.”

Before leading the Senior Bowl, Nagy spent nearly two decades in the NFL, holding various scouting positions with the Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, and Washington.

“We’re thrilled to have worked with President Harroz and the Board of Regents to bring about this important change,” said Joe Castiglione, OU Vice President and Director of Athletics. “In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, effective management of player contracts, multiple acquisition pathways, and resource allocation is critical. I believe that great college football teams will be defined by their ability to innovate and adapt to these challenges. Part of that innovation includes providing Coach Venables and his staff with all the tools they need to succeed. By reimagining the traditional structure and redefining responsibilities within football operations, we’re positioning ourselves for success. Jim Nagy’s experience, relationships, and perspective will complement our staff and support our pursuit of conference and national championships.”