Before JaMarcus Shephard accepted the job at Oregon State late last November, he drew a line in the sand. There was a final negotiating point that held up the deal. His agent was stuck in an overnight tug-of-war with OSU Athletic Director Scott Barnes.
The issue?
A football-specific general manager position.
The Beavers had never had one before. Shephard insisted that he needed that position. Barnes was opposed to creating a football-only GM position. The AD told me in an interview that he wanted a department-wide hire that would do deals in multiple sports. It became a sticking point that the new football coach eventually won.
That was a major pivot point, no?
I have more on that — and why it was vital — in the Saturday Special. Plus, I look at Oregon, Washington’s hot seat, Washington State’s woes, the troubles of the 10 departing members of the old Pac-12, and more.
This weekly installment aims to give readers insights, takeaways, opinions, and tidbits to add to the college football experience.
Here we go…