East Tennessee State University Athletic Director Dr. Richard Sander has announced the appointment of David Blackburn, a veteran college athletics administrator, as the General Manager of Revenue Sports for Buccaneer football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball.
Blackburn brings over 30 years of experience in college athletics administration to the newly created position. As General Manager of Revenue Sports, he will oversee Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements and revenue-sharing operations. He will serve as the chief liaison to agents, student-athletes, and their families during compensation and partnership negotiations. Blackburn will also work closely with head coaches Will Healy (football), Brooks Savage (men’s basketball), and Brenda Mock Brown (women’s basketball) to manage rosters, build schedules, and offer strategic administrative guidance. The structure change will free coaches to focus efforts on team performance and development.
“I’m excited about David joining us in this role,” said Dr. Sander. “I cannot imagine finding someone with more experience, knowledge, or stronger relationships. He gives our coaches incredible support, allowing them to focus on what they love: coaching our athletes and helping them succeed on and off the field.
He has worked alongside a long list of Hall of Fame coaches in both football and basketball, and we’re thrilled he’s bringing that level of expertise to ETSU,” Dr. Sander added.
Blackburn’s storied career includes a successful tenure as Director of Athletics at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In his time with the Mocs, the institution was the first SoCon school to win conference titles in football, men’s, and women’s basketball in the same season. He has also held senior administrative roles at the University of Tennessee and Middle Tennessee State University. A native of Tennessee, Blackburn has built an impressive national profile and network that can be leveraged to benefit the Buccaneer programs under his guidance.
With this appointment, ETSU became one of the first universities nationally, and the first in the SoCon, to implement the General Manager model across multiple sports. Blackburn is the first GM for any SoCon basketball program and one of the first in the conference to serve as a football GM without a concurrent coaching title. ETSU will also be the first FCS school in Tennessee to establish a standalone GM role in football.
“ETSU is ahead of the curve in the decision to create this position, and I’m extremely excited that David was chosen to take on the responsibility of General Manager,” said Coach Brown. “He’s experienced, knowledgeable, relational, and a perfect fit for the job and will help us tremendously in all facets of our program.”
This innovative position is part of ETSU’s commitment to leading the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics with a forward-thinking strategy and structure.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“I'm excited to hear that ETSU has made David the General Manager of multiple revenue-generating sports. This first-of-a-kind position is needed in the modern era of college athletics. I've known David for years, and his vast experience in college athletics will allow him to make a huge impact at ETSU.”
– Jon Gruden - Former NFL Head Coach and Super Bowl Champion
“DB (David Blackburn) has been a colleague and friend in the industry for years. He understands coaches and has worked hand in hand with legends like Pat Summitt, Phillip Fulmer, and others. He understands what it takes across all aspects of athletics to be competitive at the highest level.”
– Bruce Pearl - Auburn Head Men's Basketball Coach
“David is the perfect person to work with the revenue sports in this capacity. He understands the issues that coaches deal with due to his extensive experience as a veteran athletics administrator.”
– Jim Foster - 2013 Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, former Head Women's Basketball Coach at St. Joseph's, Vanderbilt, Ohio State, and Chattanooga.
