Pat Stewart Joins Nebraska Football as General Manager. The University of Nebraska has made a significant addition to its football program by hiring Pat Stewart as the new General Manager for the Huskers. Stewart brings a wealth of experience in personnel and scouting, having spent the past two seasons as the director of pro personnel for the New England Patriots. His hiring marks a strategic move as Nebraska looks to enhance its roster management and player acquisition strategies.
NFL Experience and Connection to Coach Rhule
Stewart has an extensive background in the National Football League, with notable stints at the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers. His time with the Patriots saw him play a role in two Super Bowl Championship teams, while his tenure with the Panthers (2020-2022) overlapped with current Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule’s time leading the team. This previous collaboration suggests a strong working relationship between the two, which could prove invaluable as Nebraska looks to elevate its football program.
New Role and Responsibilities at Nebraska
As General Manager, Stewart will oversee Nebraska’s roster management and player acquisition, including recruiting, evaluation, and retention of high school prospects and transfer portal athletes. With college football increasingly mirroring the NFL’s approach to roster construction, his expertise will be instrumental in helping Nebraska remain competitive at the highest level.
Coach Rhule emphasized the importance of this move, stating, “We are moving into an era in college football where roster management and retention more closely resembles the National Football League model. Pat Stewart will help us manage our roster and operate in a way that will help give Nebraska the opportunity to compete as one of the elite programs in the country.”
Stewart himself expressed excitement about the new role, saying, “There are few, if any, institutions as capable of transitioning to this new era of roster construction as Nebraska. That is a testament to Director of Athletics Troy Dannen, Coach Rhule, and the rest of the administration for their commitment to continuing to build on the proud and storied legacy of Nebraska Football.”
A Career Built on Scouting and Personnel Management
Stewart’s career in football began at the collegiate level, working at Temple University and Western Carolina, where he first crossed paths with Rhule. His jump to the NFL came in 2007 when he joined the Patriots as a scouting assistant. He later held positions as an area scout and pro scout, contributing to New England’s success over a decade-long tenure.
After his time with the Patriots, Stewart became a national scout for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018-2019 before joining the Carolina Panthers. He served as Director of Player Personnel in 2020 before being promoted to Vice President of Player Personnel for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
A Key Piece in Nebraska’s Front Office Restructure
Stewart’s hiring is part of a broader re-organization of Nebraska’s football front office. As part of this transition, Sean Padden will take on the role of Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Intelligence, focusing on areas such as cap analysis, compensation trends, contract negotiations, and data analytics leadership.
With Stewart now at the helm of roster management, Nebraska is positioning itself to navigate the evolving landscape of college football successfully. His expertise in player evaluation, recruitment, and retention will be pivotal in Nebraska’s quest to return to prominence on the national stage.
