Hubert Davis and UNC are making big changes to how their program operates. Could NC State follow suit?

Yesterday, Hubert Davis made a pretty big statement.

The Tarheels are having a pretty bad season by their standards. They are 6-5 in the ACC and 13-10 overall. They are sitting in 7th and right now seem to be on the outside looking in when it comes to the NCAA Tournament.

Because of all this, the heat from the fanbase is ratcheting up and they are demanding changes. So yesterday, he assured the fanbase that there will be changes (trying to make sure the ‘changes’ aren’t him losing his job.)

“We are going to hire a GM.”

Hubert Davis confirmed on Monday night that the UNC basketball program plans to expand its staff this offseason, including hiring a general manager.https://t.co/PYPf2wcE4R

— Keeping It Heel (@KeepingItHeel) February 4, 2025

College basketball programs are hiring general managers GMs these days for a few big reasons, mainly because the whole college sports landscape has changed a lot recently. Here’s what’s going on:

• NIL & Transfer Portal: Managing rosters has gotten way more complicated. Players are transferring all over the place, and NIL deals have added a business side to recruiting. GMs help keep track of all this, making sure players get the right deals and that the team’s roster stays balanced.
• Roster Management: With players coming and going via the transfer portal, GMs help find the right mix of talent for the team and make sure they’re bringing in the best players to fit the program’s needs. It’s not just about finding talent—it’s about building a team that works together.
• Handling the Money: NIL deals mean players are getting paid, and someone has to keep track of that to make sure everything’s above board. GMs help manage the financial side of things, making sure players get their fair share, staying in compliance with NCAA rules, and keeping everything organized.
• More Like Pro Sports: College athletics is becoming more like professional sports. As college hoops gets more money and attention, programs are adopting practices from the pros—like hiring GMs to manage everything off the court. GMs handle player contracts, transfers, and all the behind-the-scenes stuff, so coaches can focus on on the floor stuff.
• Letting Coaches Focus on Coaching: With a GM handling all the logistics, coaches can focus more on actually coaching and developing players. The GM takes care of the roster, recruiting, and finances, leaving the coaching staff to just worry about performance on the court.

So, in a nutshell, the role of a GM in college basketball is all about handling the business side of things so that coaches and players can concentrate on the game. With everything changing so fast, having someone who can keep track of all the moving pieces is becoming pretty essential.

So how does that sound? Is that something NC State could use?

Well, Kevin Keatts is in a spot similar to Hubert Davis. He’s having a bad season. The fans and media are down his throat, but he’s unlikely to be fired this season. Davis is only in his 4th season coaching in Chapel Hill and Keatts is fresh off a Final Four and ACC Tournament Championship (and has a big buyout).

So, one way Boo Corrigan could calm down the fanbase and encourage NIL donations is to make an announcement that he’s bringing in a GM. This might be the best case scenario for NC State. The roster construction this season wasn’t good and next year they’re mostly going to have to start over again. Keatts has always gotten his guys to play hard, but his reluctance to go away from the small ball has hurt NC State at times.

Is a GM in NC State’s future? I hate taking cues from UNC, but I personally think it’d be a great idea.