Oklahoma GM Jim Nagy comments on Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee breakup

USA Today

15-04-2025

Oklahoma GM Jim Nagy comments on Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee breakup
New Oklahoma Sooners general manager Jim Nagy has been tasked with helping turn the program around after a 6-7 season in 2024. Nagy, who replaces Curtis Lofton, is bringing a new, progressive approach to the name, image and likeness wilderness that college football is currently wandering in. His hire at OU has been praised as a move that could help the team get back into championship contention.
At the "Crimson Combine", Nagy was asked about a big piece of college football news that is arguably the biggest story in all of sports right now. The breakup of the Tennessee Volunteers and former five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava sent shockwaves across college athletics.
Iamaleava held out of practice and team meetings for more money on his NIL "contract" late last week, prompting head coach Josh Heupel to announce on Saturday that the Vols had parted ways with their starting quarterback. Iamaleava will enter the transfer portal when it opens from April 16 to 25 and will look for his next home in college football.
More: Oklahoma recruiting strategy more important than ever amid Nico Iamaleava saga
The duo of Iamaleava and Heupel, representing opposite sides, may have just changed college football with their respective decisions. And if something like that can happen at a place like Knoxville, rich in tradition and history, who's to say it can't happen in Norman?
Nagy, speaking just hours after the news of the split broke, explained a group text between him and the OU coaching staff where he laid down the law. His plan is to stop similar issues from even coming up at Oklahoma.
"This can't happen here," Nagy said. "There are red flags along the way that probably could've pointed to this happening ... That's a doomsday scenario."
Nagy also emphasized the importance of building relationships with players and their families throughout the recruiting process, a stance that is in line with head coach Brent Venables' philosophy as well.
"I think you really need to get to know these players and their families through the recruiting process," Nagy said. "Knowing the player is one thing. We can all watch the tape and identify that. But when we have families on campus and we have players on campus, that's really work to get to know them."
Iamaleava's choice certainly isn't the last of its kind in college football. Oklahoma's new GM is doing his best to ensure that the Sooners don't find themselves in that kind of situation down the road.
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