The world of college athletics continues to change on a daily basis as the NIL and transfer portal eras have made it necessary that programs adapt to the changes on the fly. One of the biggest adaptations as of late has been the role of General Manager becoming a priority in College Football and College Basketball as programs juggle NIL and revenue sharing which is on the horizon. On Monday Night, Sacramento State made a splash hire landing LSU legend and NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal as their General Manager.
Upstart Sacramento State makes a massive hire with surprising hiring of Shaquille O'Neal
The Sacramento State Basketball program and athletic program being able to land one of the most iconic basketball stars of All-Time is a truly shocking development not just in college basketball but, in college sports. The LSU Basketball team landed a former star in the role hiring LSU star Ronald Dupree but, the hiring of O'Neal is the biggest star to take a GM role by far.
While the program he chose to take the role at is a massive shock on the surface, O'Neal does have plenty of ties to Sacramento State. Former NBA Star Mike Bibby is the program's head coach which gives them NBA ties to O'Neal. This offseason the Sacramento State Hornets landed O'Neal's son Shaqir O'Neal in the transfer portal so Shaq gets to help his sons program.
Landing Shaquille O'Neal in the role is as big of a hire as any program could land for several different reasons. On the court, O'Neal was one of the game's biggest stars, which gives him a solid pitch to make to any recruit. Off the court, O'Neal is an incredible business man which will help in NIL negotiations as well as advice to players after college.
The Sacramento State Hornets are quickly becoming a top attraction landing Brandon Marion as their Head Coach who brought Jaden Rashada along with him.