Texas Tech GM James Blanchard joins Adam Breneman to break down how he helped turn the Red Raiders into one of the most well-resourced, forward-thinking programs in college football. 

He shares what a day in the life of a GM looks like, how Texas Tech built the #1 transfer portal class, and why NIL has completely changed the landscape. Blanchard explains the NFL-style structure of their front office, what it takes to recruit elite talent, and how they evaluate players before they even enter the portal. 

He also talks about turning down the Notre Dame job, building a $250 million football “resort,” and what it will take to bring a Big 12 title to Lubbock. This is one of the most eye-opening conversations about the business behind college football.

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CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Intro

3:57 - Player personnel department structure 

5:30 -NIL at Texas Tech

8:02 - NIL and Revenue Sharing per position 

9:06 - Getting the call from Coach McGuire 

10:01 - First week in Lubbock, Texas

11:25 - Recruiting strategy

12:11 - Patrick Mahomes

13:28 - Building culture 

14:40 - James Blanchard’s elite trait 

15:20 - GM relationships across CFB

17:15 - What top schools will spend on their rosters 

18:15 - Negotiating process as a GM

19:57 - Most chaotic 24 hour stretch 

23:10 - High school coaches in the recruiting process

23:54 - Crazy transfer portal story and talent in the portal

27:22 - Cody Campbell 

28:35 - What fans don’t understand about the GM role

29:42 - Evaluating young coaches

32:36 - Head Coaches next up in CFB

35:41 - GM to Head Coach track

36:41 - How Texas Tech structured their personnel department 

38:42 - Making CFB more of a even playing field 

40:16 - Future of CFB

41:55 - Success at Texas Tech

42:35 - James Blanchard in 5 years

On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans. 

Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports. 

Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.