Notre Dame is making significant changes to its program under new General Manager Mike Martin, aiming to build a more “NFL-like” roster and structure. Following the departure of former GM Chad Bowden to Southern California, the Irish had to make a critical decision about the direction of the program. After initially pursuing James Blanchard from Texas Tech, they turned to Martin, who has spent the last four years with the Detroit Lions as their Director of Scouting Advancement.
Notre Dame is finalizing a deal to hire Detroit Lions Director of Scouting Advancement Mike Martin as the school’s new general manager, per source. Martin was part of Detroit’s initial front office staff that helped rebuild the Lions’ roster. Now Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman is…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 14, 2025
Martin’s appointment signals a shift towards a more NFL-style approach to both roster management and program development. This change comes at a time when Notre Dame seems poised to take its operations to the next level.
With a strong performance in the 2024 season, the Irish are looking to solidify their momentum and transform into a more professional, serious football program. By adopting an NFL-style model, Notre Dame plans to incorporate more analytics into decision-making, including roster construction, player evaluations, NIL deals, and portal activity.
The role of GM in college football is still evolving, but teams that commit to it and build strong support around it are likely to rise to the top in this rapidly changing landscape.
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