Back

General manager (American football)

A general manager (GM) in American football is typically the head of football operations responsible for hiring a head coach, heading the scouting department, and handling free agent transactions and trades. Under such a model, the GM reports directly to the owner or team president. However, some team owners serve as their own GM or employ one who act in a supporting role to the head coach. Al Davis of the Oakland Raiders was an example of an owner who also served as GM, while Bill Belichick is an example of a head coach having de facto GM responsibilities during his tenure with the New England Patriots.