As programs across the country adjust to the new landscape in college athletics, Auburn men’s basketball is the latest to hire a general manager.

The program hired former Iowa assistant coach Matt Gatens for the role, Auburn announced on Friday. He spent the previous three seasons with the Hawkeyes and was on Bruce Pearl’s staff at Auburn from 2016-2018.

According to the release, Gatens will be responsible for roster management and evaluation, agent and donor relations, scouting, recruiting and game planning as Auburn’s general manager.

“The key to my success has been surrounding our program with good people,” Pearl said in the release. “I’ve known Matt since the day he was born as his parents were friends of mine when I was an assistant at Iowa. Matt’s first job after his professional playing career was as a graduate assistant here at Auburn. He went off to do great things as an assistant coach and put himself in a position to potentially be named Iowa’s head coach last year. It’s great to have Matt and his family back in Auburn.”

According to his bio on the Iowa men’s basketball website, Gatens assisted “in all aspects of the program, including recruiting, opponent scouting, practices, player development and game preparation” while at Iowa.

“My family and I are thrilled for the opportunity to rejoin the Auburn Family,” Gatens said in the release. “Coach Pearl and his staff have built one of the most respected and successful programs in the country, and I’m honored to be a part of that winning and championship culture.”

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports forAL.com. You can follow him on X at@peter_rauterkusor email him at[email protected]m