Success often comes with a price. In the Wildcats’ case, that means finding a new general manager after Gaizka Crowley was hired by the University of Arkansas. Well, Brent Brennan and Co. have done just that, with Aaron Knotts set to become the next general manager at Arizona, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Knotts spent the last 12 seasons at the University of Washington, serving most recently as the Director of Internal Operations and Football Strategy. In his most recent role, Knotts focused daily operations of the program while adding football-specific responsibilities, such as advanced scouting reports, presentations, analytics, and strategy.
Knotts served in a number of roles during his tenure at Montlake. He worked as the Huskies’ Chief of Staff since 2018, before adding Associate Athletic Director duties as well in 2024. In his role, Knotts oversaw the day-to-day operations of the football program, ranging from recruiting, NIL, marketing, budgeting, capital projects, video, HR, and compliance. He also served as the NFL liaison for eight seasons (2016-2023).
Knotts was also a member of the internal, three-person search committee, appointed by former UW athletic director Troy Dannen, that resulted in the hiring of Head Coach Jedd Fisch.
Prior to his roles in operations and administration, Knotts spent four years at UW working in recruiting and personnel. After joining the staff as Assistant Director of Player Personnel in 2014, he then served as the Director of High School Relations in 2015 and as the Director of Player Personnel for two years, 2016 and 2017.
Jason Scheer of WildcatAuthority is reporting that Arizona will have to replace Director of Scouting Fletcher Kelly, who is likely following Crowley to Fayetteville. Other than that, the Wildcats lone vacancy on the coaching staff is a running back coach, after Alonzo Carter took over as the head coach at Sacramento State.
No. 17 Arizona (9-3) faces SMU (8-4) in the Holiday Bowl at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on Friday, Jan. 2, at 6 PM on FOX.
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