Tag: poaches

  • USC football poaches GM Chad Bowen away from Notre Dame


    At long last, USC football has its new general manger. The Trojans are hiring former Notre Dame general manager Chad Bowden for the same role, according to multiple sources.

    Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman brought Bowden with him from Cincinnati when Freeman was hired as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator in 2021. Bowden was a recruiting staffer with the Bearcats, but he became Freeman’s first hire in South Bend. Bowden was named Notre Dame’s general manager in March after Michigan made a run at hiring him away. He’d been Notre Dame’s director of recruiting prior to being promoted to GM. 

    Bowden was named FootballScoop’s Player Personnel Director of the Year as voted by his peers earlier this month. He leaves Notre Dame following a successful season for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame went 14-2 and lost to Ohio State 34-23 in the national championship.

    At USC, Bowden is expected to make approximately $1 million annually, according to multiple sources.

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    Bowden, 30, inherits a USC football program looking to tighten up its roster building operation. USC has had some high profile recruiting misses from the high school ranks and in the transfer portal in the last two years. 

    USC had been looking to upgrade its personnel staff for over a year. USC athletic director Jen Cohen pursued Alabama general manager Courtney Morgan multiple times, but he chose to stay in Tuscaloosa. Current USC general manager Dave Emerick is expected to stay at USC but work in a different role moving forward. 

    (Photo: Tom Loy – @TomLoy247, 247Sports)

    Bowden has front office experience in his blood. Bowden’s father, Jim Bowden, was named general manager of the Cincinnati Reds at 31 in 1992, at the time the youngest general manager in the history of Major League Baseball. He also was the general manager for the Montreal Expos and Washington Nationals. He resigned from the Nationals in 2009 and has been a television analyst as well as a national writer for The Athletic.



    In a shocking move, USC football has poached General Manager Chad Bowen away from Notre Dame. Bowen, who has been instrumental in the success of the Fighting Irish in recent years, will now bring his talents to the Trojans as they look to elevate their program to new heights.

    This move is sure to shake up the college football world, as Bowen’s keen eye for talent and strategic approach to team-building have been key factors in Notre Dame’s success. USC is undoubtedly thrilled to have him on board and is looking forward to the impact he will have on their program.

    Fans of both schools will be closely watching how this move plays out, as USC looks to establish themselves as a powerhouse in college football with Bowen leading the way. Only time will tell how this decision will ultimately impact both programs, but one thing is for certain – the Trojans are making a bold statement with this hire.

    Tags:

    1. USC football news
    2. Chad Bowen
    3. Notre Dame football
    4. College football updates
    5. USC Trojans
    6. Chad Bowen news
    7. NCAA football
    8. USC coaching staff
    9. College sports news
    10. USC football coaching change

    #USC #football #poaches #Chad #Bowen #Notre #Dame

  • Naomi Osaka’s Evolve poaches Aryna Sabalenka from IMG in massive move

    Naomi Osaka’s Evolve poaches Aryna Sabalenka from IMG in massive move


    Aryna Sabalenka has made a major career move by leaving IMG, the agency that has represented her since 2019, to join Naomi Osaka’s sports agency, Evolve. IMG has been managing Sabalenka’s career for years, handling her sponsorships, endorsements, and other professional matters.

    In 2022, Osaka parted ways with the International Management Group (IMG), a global agency specializing in sports, events, and talent management. After six years of representation, her contract with IMG ended in late 2021.

    By May 2022, Osaka announced the launch of her own sports venture, Evolve, alongside Stuart Duguid, her former IMG pointman who followed suit. The venture signed its first client, Nick Kyrgios, on June 20, 2022.

    On Friday, November 3, Osaka’s agency announced on Instagram that Aryna Sabalenka had joined their roster. The post featured a warm welcome, reading:

    “Welcome to EVOLVE @arynasabalenka .”

    Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka reach Brisbane and Auckland SFs

    2025 Brisbane International: Day 5 - Source: Getty2025 Brisbane International: Day 5 - Source: Getty
    2025 Brisbane International: Day 5 – Source: Getty

    Aryna Sabalenka has advanced to the semifinals of the Brisbane International, while Naomi Osaka secured her spot in the semifinals of the ASB Classic in Auckland.

    Sabalenka kicked off her 2025 season in Brisbane with an impressive start. On December 31, 2024, the Belarusian secured a commanding 6-4, 6-0 victory in her opening match against Renata Zarazua.

    She then faced Yulia Putintseva and emerged victorious with a hard-fought 7-6(7), 6-4 scoreline. Continuing her strong form, the World No. 1 triumphed in the quarterfinals on January 3, defeating Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-4. With the win, Sabalenka advanced to the semifinals against Mirra Andreeva.

    Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka has made it to the semifinals at the Auckland Classic, marking her first such achievement since the Miami Open in April 2022.

    Osaka claimed her first win at the ASB Classic on December 30, 2024, defeating Lina Glushko 6-4, 6-4. The Japanese continued her impressive form on January 1, overcoming Austria’s Julia Grabher with a 7-5, 6-3 victory.

    On Friday, the former world No. 1 battled past unseeded Hailey Baptiste, securing a 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-2 win. She is now set to face either eighth-seeded Katie Volynets or unseeded Alycia Parks in the last four of the WTA 250 tournament on Saturday, January 4.

    Once these tournaments wrap up, Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka will head to the Australian Open, which takes place from January 12 to January 26.