The Arkansas Razorbacks are moving toward hiring Gaizka Crowley as their football general manager, according to a report from John Brice at FootballScoop. The addition of Crowley would provide head coach Ryan Silverfield with a seasoned voice in roster planning and team operations as the program builds its foundation in the SEC.
A Proven Track Record in College Football Operations
Crowley currently serves as the general manager at Arizona, a position he has held since early 2024 following the hiring of head coach Brent Brennan. Now in his second season with the Wildcats, he has already made a significant impact on roster management, personnel evaluation, and long-term team planning. Crowley has been a key factor in the program’s turnaround following Jedd Fisch’s departure to Washington. After a 4-8 record in 2024, Arizona has quietly emerged as one of the nation’s best-kept secrets, finishing 9-3 this season and remaining in contention in the Big 12 throughout the year.
Before his move to Tucson, Crowley gained experience at Western Michigan and UNLV, honing his skills in assembling rosters that fit a program’s style and philosophy. His background also includes coaching offensive linemen at Lincoln High in Tallahassee, where he helped lead the team to a Florida state title game.
Experience That Fits Arkansas’ Vision
Crowley’s tenure at UNLV was particularly formative. He played a key role in the Rebels’ 2023 Mountain West Championship Game run, helping staff construct a roster tailored to the program’s goals. Arkansas sees him as someone who can manage the operational details that often get lost amid practice schedules, recruiting cycles, transfer windows, and NIL considerations.
As general manager, Crowley will provide a structured channel for staff cohesion and a more complete approach to evaluating roster needs. This allows Silverfield to focus on player development, culture-building, and game planning, while someone else handles the operational and administrative tasks critical to long-term success.
Crowley’s expected arrival coincides with Arkansas’ broader efforts to modernize its football operations. The GM will coordinate evaluations, track trends, and work closely with analysts monitoring the transfer portal and recruiting landscape.
At Arizona, Crowley worked closely with Director of Scouting Fletcher Kelly, helping oversee a roster overhaul between the 2024 and 2025 seasons. That effort included the addition of nearly 30 NCAA transfer portal players, 11 of whom have started more than half of the Wildcats’ games this fall. Crowley also helped assemble Arizona’s 2026 recruiting class, which is currently ranked 35th nationally and 4th in the Big 12. That type of roster building is exactly what Silverfield and co will be ecstatic to have so it takes more off of the coaching staff's plate to focus on day-to-day operations.
A Key Addition for Arkansas’ Future
Crowley’s hire underscores Arkansas’ commitment to building a program that blends elite talent evaluation with operational efficiency. With a proven eye for personnel and experience navigating the modern complexities of college football, he could play a key role in the Razorbacks’ push to compete at the highest level in the SEC. As college football increasingly mirrors the NFL in structure and operations, the role of a general manager is becoming an essential component of sustained program success.
For Silverfield, Crowley provides another trusted voice in the room, someone who can help ensure the program’s foundation is as strong off the field as it is on it. This hire is another smart addition to the coaching staff, as Silverfield continues to fill key positions carefully and deliberately. Prioritizing the right fit over rushing hires reflects his cautious, and ultimately more effective, approach to building a sustainable program.