BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has named Roman Oben as the conference’s new Associate Commissioner for Football, announced Wednesday.
Oben comes to the SEC from the NFL where he served as the league’s Vice President of Football Development Strategy.
Former NFL player Roman Oben announces a pick during the 2022 NFL Draft on Saturday, April 30,...
Former NFL player Roman Oben announces a pick during the 2022 NFL Draft on Saturday, April 30, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)(Doug Benc | AP)
In his new role, Oben will serve as the SEC’s senior leader for football operations, policy, and stakeholder engagement and will report directly to SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. The conference says Oben will provide strategic leadership for SEC football and will work closely alongside conference staff, athletics directors, and head football coaches.
In addition to his role, the conference says Oben will serve as the primary liaison to head football coaches, administrators, and governing bodies where he will foster strategic alignment and collaboration where he will advise Commissioner Sankey and conference leadership on “key national governance, policy, and regulatory issues, ensuring alignment with the SEC’s mission, competitive standards, and commitment to student-athlete welfare.”
Sankey says Oben is “well-positioned” to grow SEC football.
“Roman Oben brings a rare combination of elite football experience and high-level sports-business leadership, with more than 15 years serving in senior executive and board roles across professional football, collegiate athletics, and global sport development. Roman is well-positioned to grow SEC football through campus engagement and innovative operational strategies, and he will play a central role in advancing the SEC’s national influence and long-term success in college football.”
Oben says joining the SEC is an “incredible honor.”
“Joining the SEC is an incredible honor. The tradition, competition and passion of SEC football are unmatched, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve its coaches, administrators, and student-athletes. I look forward to working with Commissioner Sankey, Charlie Hussey and the outstanding leadership within this conference to strengthen alignment, support institutional priorities, and advance the game with integrity, clarity and purpose.”
Oben was a 12-year NFL veteran and was the starting left tackle on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2002 Super Bowl championship team.
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