Kenyatta Wright Brings NFL Experience, Oklahoma Roots to GM Role with OSU Football

Former Oklahoma State standout and NFL linebacker Kenyatta Wright never imagined he’d one day be back in Stillwater helping run the Cowboys’ football program, but that’s exactly where life has taken him.

Now serving as OSU’s GM/Director of Football Business, Wright is taking on a front office-style role built for the modern college football landscape.

“Never would have thought that,” Wright said with a smile when asked if his playing days ever hinted at this path. “But I’m thankful for it.”

Gundy reacts to EA Sports likeness: 'They gave me a great hairdo—but that’s like permanent hair forever'

New Role

Wright, who starred at OSU in the late 1990s before a multi-year NFL career, is now charged with helping navigate the business side of college football, from roster construction and NIL dynamics to budget management and player development. It’s a wide-ranging job that demands vision, discipline, and constant communication.

“I wish I had a Verizon NIL deal,” Wright joked. “The amount of hours I spent on the phone with Coach Gundy, Coach Grantham, Coach Meacham, agents, and players... yeah, we were really, really busy.”

After last year’s season finale at Colorado, Wright and the OSU staff immediately went to work retooling the roster. The goal? Build the most competitive and productive environment possible. It wasn’t about where a player came from—it was about who could perform and thrive within the Cowboy culture.

“We get the most competitive and productive players that fit within our framework and our culture at Oklahoma State,” Wright said. “We wanted to be competitive, and we wanted to be productive.”

Oklahoma Roots

That approach has paid off, especially in-state. While specifics can’t be discussed due to NCAA rules, Wright acknowledged the recent wave of top Oklahoma talent choosing OSU and believes his personal story has played a role in that.

“I’m from the bottoms of Oklahoma,” Wright said. “Coach Gundy recruited me. I got to live out my dream with great people, and I got to do it at home in front of my family. You go off somewhere else, you may not have that luxury. But here, you do—every Saturday.”

Wright also isn’t afraid of the numbers side of the job. With a wry grin, he noted he might be a tough negotiator. “Outside of my wife buying shoes, I’m pretty stiff on the numbers,” he joked. “When you manage companies, you’ve got to stand firm, it affects the whole organization.”

Josh Ford and Cam Smith share their expectations for the 2025 football season at Big 12 Media Days

Cowboy for Life

Despite the grind and pressure, Wright is clearly thriving in this next phase of his football life.

“There’s no greater joy than I have right now,” he said. “All my kids are grown, I’ve got a grandson now... this is my way to give back to Oklahoma State. And I don’t sleep well when we’re not successful.”

Wright may not have seen this role coming, but he’s embraced it fully. His passion for OSU, sharp business acumen, and deep understanding of what it takes to win have made him a vital piece of the Cowboys’ evolving football machine.

Mike Gundy talks OSU roster overhaul, team chemistry, and Big 12 depth in Interview with John Holcomb