Courtney Morgan, the general manager of Alabama’s football program, has agreed to a new three-year deal that will pay him approximately $825,000 per year. This contract, which is pending approval from Alabama’s board of trustees, is expected to set a new standard for college football GMs.
The decision to offer Morgan a lucrative deal comes after USC made a strong push to recruit him. USC was looking to bring Morgan on board to enhance their recruiting operations. However, Alabama managed to retain Morgan, who has been instrumental in building the Crimson Tide’s highly ranked 2025 recruiting class.
Morgan’s expertise lies in talent identification and building strong relationships with players during the recruiting process and once they are part of the program. He has proven his worth during his previous roles as the director of player personnel at Michigan and Washington, where he contributed to roster management, scouting, and recruiting efforts.
One of Morgan’s strengths is his connections on the West Coast. His ties to California have been valuable for Alabama, as the Crimson Tide has secured commitments from several blue-chip recruits from the state. USC, which has struggled to recruit in Southern California in recent years, recognized Morgan’s ability to tap into this talent pool and sought to bring him on board.
Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class currently holds commitments from six California prospects, including the second-ranked kicker in the nation. This number surpasses the total number of California commitments in Alabama’s last five classes combined. Morgan’s connections and experience in recruiting on the West Coast have undoubtedly played a significant role in these successes.
The role of a general manager in college football is becoming increasingly important. With the introduction of the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness deals, player movement and roster management have become year-round endeavors. Most FBS programs now have a GM or director of player personnel to oversee scouting efforts and evaluate both high school recruits and college players in the transfer portal.
Although the position of a college football GM was not initially highly compensated, top GMs in the country are now signing contracts in the six-figure range. Morgan’s new deal with Alabama sets a new benchmark in the industry. Previously, Texas Tech’s GM James Blanchard signed a two-year deal with an average salary of $400,000, while Clemson’s GM Jordan Sorrells and Ohio State’s GM Mark Pantoni earn over $300,000.
Overall, Alabama’s decision to secure Courtney Morgan’s services with a lucrative contract highlights the increasing importance of the general manager role in college football. Morgan’s expertise in talent identification, recruiting, and roster management, combined with his strong connections on the West Coast, have made him a valuable asset for the Crimson Tide. As the college football landscape continues to evolve, the role of the general manager will only grow in significance.