The Oklahoma women's basketball team wants to jump from the second tier of college basketball to the top. The hiring of Jared Boyd is a commitment to that end.Boyd was named the team's first-ever general manager this week when athletics director Roger Denny and coach Jennie Baranczyk announced his hiring. Boyd previously worked as Texas Tech's women's basketball GM last year after previously spending five years as the team's chief of staff.
The Red Raiders went 25-7 and saw their season end in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year.According to Oklahoma's press release, Boyd will be responsible for roster management, including player acquisition and retention while also handling recruiting operations and NIL/revenue-sharing strategy. "Oklahoma is one of the premier brands in college athletics, and what's been built here is special," Boyd said in the release. "We want to keep building on that foundation and continue pushing this program to the highest level."The Sooners have established themselves as regulars in the Top 25, most often ranking anywhere between No. 10 and No. 20.
After falling in the second round in Baranczyk's first three seasons, Oklahoma has made the Sweet 16 in back-to-back years. They're capable of playing with the elite, too, having handed South Carolina its only SEC loss in the regular-season this past season. The Gamecocks have made the Final Four each of the last six seasons with two national titles and two runner's-up finishes.Before joining Texas Tech, Boyd served as Texas-Arlington's women's basketball director of operations from 2017 to 2020.This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma women's basketball tabs Jared Boyd as general manager