What Auburn basketball is getting in new GM Brian Kloman

Before a crucial offseason, Steven Pearl filled the Tigers' front office vacancy by hiring a sitting GM from a big-time basketball school.

(Auburn Basketball/Twitter)

AUBURN — A crucial offseason for Auburn basketball hasn’t even begun yet, but the Tigers have already made a big step in getting ready for what’s about to come.

On Thursday evening, Auburn officially announced the hire of Brian Kloman as the program’s new general manager. Kloman comes to the Plains from Louisville, where he worked under head coach Pat Kelsey in helping quickly get the program back into the NCAA Tournament and towards the top of the ACC again.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brian Kloman to our program as our General Manager,” Auburn head coach Steven Pearl said in a statement. “Brian brings a unique combination of vision, energy and expertise that will immediately elevate our staff and strengthen our overall operation.

“He has been an integral part of Pat Kelsey’s success at every stop — from Winthrop to College of Charleston and now Louisville — helping build winning programs through relentless work ethic, innovation, and elite talent evaluation.”

Kloman will fill a season-long vacancy on the Auburn staff. The Tigers had originally hired Matt Gatens to be its first general manager this past offseason. But, after Bruce Pearl’s retirement and Steven Pearl’s move to the head job, Gatens was promoted to the open assistant coach slot.

Like in college football, general managers have gradually become a must-have position for many high-major college basketball programs in this current age of a free-for-all transfer portal, NIL money and — now — a revenue-sharing salary cap. Managing a roster, with all of the new factors, has become a full-time job itself.

“What separates Brian is his ability to identify and assemble talent, build cohesive teams, and constantly find new ways to gain a competitive edge,” Pearl added in the statement. “He is a true go-getter with an innovative mindset, and his impact will be felt across every facet of our program.”

While Kloman spent a dozen seasons working with Kelsey at three different stops, the Tennessee graduate has had a close relationship with Pearl over the years.

"This move to Auburn is about fulfilling a dream I've had for a long time — one I get to chase alongside a dear friend who has meant so much to my journey,” Kloman said in a statement he sent out to Louisville fans Thursday evening. “It was an incredibly difficult decision — but one made with full respect for everything Louisville has given me.”

So what will Kloman bring to Auburn?