As the Wildcats’ first general manager, Christian Sarkisian steps into a critical role as Northwestern looks to rebound from a 4–8 campaign in 2024.
With college sports rapidly evolving into a professional-style enterprise—thanks to new Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules and a wide-open transfer portal—it’s no longer realistic for head coaches to act as the sole CEOs of their teams. Roster construction, recruiting, fundraising, and player branding have each become full-time responsibilities.
That’s where the general manager comes in. Once a rarity, the GM role has become essential in the modern college football arms race. Last season, eight of the 12 College Football Playoff teams had a general manager on staff. And with college sports moving closer to a true revenue-sharing model—especially as the $2.8 billion House v. NCAA antitrust settlement awaits final approval from U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken. She has already signed off on the provision allowing schools to share up to $20.5 million annually with their athletes. This means having a GM isn’t just a competitive edge. It’s a necessity for survival.
Now, Northwestern is finally joining that wave. On May 12, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that the Wildcats named longtime Cincinnati Bengals scout Christian Sarkisian as the program’s first-ever general manager. Sarkisian returns to Evanston after previously serving as an assistant director of player personnel and recruiting assistant at Northwestern from 2015 to 2017. Additionally, he earned a Master of Arts in Sports Administration from the university in 2016.
But who is the relatively unknown Sarkisian, and what can Wildcats fans expect from him? While some recent general manager hires have grabbed national headlines—like Andrew Luck returning to Stanford or Shaquille O’Neal teaming up with his son Shaqir at Sacramento State—Sarkisian arrives in Evanston without the spotlight, but with something just as valuable: professional insight and institutional familiarity..
During his time with the Bengals, Sarkisian was one of just a few scouts—compared to the 15 to 20 typically employed by most NFL teams. That selectivity speaks volumes about the trust the organization placed in his evaluations. His work helped shape a roster that reached Super Bowl LVI and appeared in two AFC Championship Games. His NFL résumé spans everything from scouting to roster construction to salary cap management—skills that have become increasingly vital in the modern era of college football.
In today’s NIL-driven landscape, where recruiting has effectively become “pay-to-play” and deep-pocketed boosters often steer the process, a school like Northwestern—with its surplus of academic and financial resources—needs someone who can build strategically within its model. Sarkisian now returns to a program where he’ll be tasked with helping head coach David Braun rebound from a 4–8 season and lay the groundwork for a team that can consistently compete in an evolving and increasingly competitive Big Ten.
According to Athletic Director Mark Jackson in the school’s press release, “Sarkisian will oversee the operational functions related to the NCAA House settlement, which is pending formal approval, and its impact on all of Northwestern’s intercollegiate athletics programs. He will also oversee all aspects of salary cap management for Northwestern Athletics, with a primary emphasis on football.”
The Wilmette, Illinois, native also received a ringing endorsement from his former boss, Bengals President Mike Brown.
“Christian has been an invaluable member of the Bengals organization since he joined the team seven years ago,” said Brown in the press release. “He is bright and hard-working, but most importantly, he is a good person. He deserves this opportunity. Northwestern made a smart move in hiring him.”
While it’s no secret that Northwestern isn’t recruiting at the same level as Big Ten powerhouses like Oregon, Michigan or Ohio State, Sarkisian’s NFL scouting background could help the Wildcats find and develop overlooked talent. During his time with the Bengals, Sarkisian was part of a front office that unearthed under-the-radar contributors such as Jessie Bates III, Sam Hubbard, Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt and Chase Brown. Paired with Braun’s proven track record of player development—evidenced by standouts like Aidan Hubbard and Anto Saka—the two may form the foundation for a Northwestern rebuild rooted in smart evaluation, strategic recruiting, and long-term growth.
Now, Sarkisian’s first major task is reshaping Northwestern’s 2026 recruiting class—and he’s already making progress. Before the former Bengals scout returned to Evanston, the Wildcats had just two verbal commitments, following the decommitment of three-star cornerback Joshua Sims, who flipped to Tulane last week.
But since taking over as general manager, Sarkisian and Braun have quickly built momentum. That number has jumped to seven, including a big Thursday that saw a pair of three-stars—wide receiver Jaden McDuffie and running back Sean Morris—pledge to the program. They join three-star linebacker Brayden Reilly, the No. 27-ranked player at his position, who announced his decision just two days after Sarkisian was hired.
While Northwestern’s upcoming recruiting class for 2026 and beyond may not boast the star power of an Alabama- or Texas-level class, the program has made it clear where it stands in the recruiting landscape. The Wildcats aren’t overreaching—they’re staying true to their identity and building strategically within it. For Sarkisian, that kind of clarity marks a crucial first step in his tenure.