The Southeastern Conference (SEC) football coaches want a big change in the NCAA transfer portal system. Right now, there are two transfer windows, but coaches think a single, better-timed window would help both players and teams.
This was a hot topic at the league’s spring meetings in Destin, Florida. Texas A&M’s Mike Elko and Georgia’s Kirby Smart both spoke up about their frustrations.
Most coaches seem to agree: one transfer window in January would make team management a lot simpler. It would also bring college football a bit closer to what you see in pro sports.
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Why One Transfer Window is Preferred
The NCAA currently sets two transfer windows: December 9-28 and April 16-25. This setup just isn’t working for a lot of people involved.
Mike Elko put it bluntly—pro leagues only have free agency once, not twice, so it’s easier to keep rosters under control. He’s got a point.
Challenges with the Current System
Kirby Smart from Georgia says the timing of these windows is a nightmare. The first one lands during the end of the regular season, while the second cuts into spring practices.
Coaches end up guessing who’s actually on their team, which makes planning a headache. Smart says knowing your roster by January is key for making any real progress.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey agrees. He says most coaches would rather have a single 10-day window right after New Year’s Day bowls.
That way, teams could lock in their rosters before the playoff semifinals and championship game. It’d be a smoother, less chaotic process.
Support from Other Coaches
Georgia isn’t the only program pushing for this. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, who’s seen both the old and the new College Football Playoff (CFP) setups, is all in for one window.
Sarkisian says the December window is especially tough. Teams still in the playoffs have to deal with players leaving at the worst possible time.
Real-World Examples
Take Tennessee, for example. Starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava left for UCLA during the spring portal window.
The Volunteers had to scramble and ended up bringing in Joey Aguilar from Appalachian State just to fill the gap. These sudden exits can really mess with a team’s plans.
Proposed Changes and Their Benefits
Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks has a suggestion: open the portal from January 2-12. That would let players transfer after the season but before spring practice kicks off.
Coaches would finally know who’s sticking around, making it way easier to build a team that actually gels.
Alignment with Professional Models
This idea would line up with how pro sports handle free agency—once a year, everyone knows the rules. Players and teams would both get a more stable environment.
No more surprise mid-season exits. Just a little more predictability, which, honestly, sounds pretty nice.
Future of the College Football Playoff
The SEC coaches are also looking at possible changes to the College Football Playoff (CFP) format. The current 12-team setup might not last long.
Greg Sankey says there’s growing interest in bumping it up to 16 teams. Coaches see it as a way to make things more open and competitive.
Potential Benefits of a 16-Team CFP
A 16-team playoff would mean five automatic spots and 11 at-large bids. That’s a lot more room for teams from all over the country to get in.
It could shake things up and make the playoff hunt a lot more exciting for fans and players alike.
Expectations for the Future
As the SEC keeps changing, coaches like Auburn’s Hugh Freeze are still aiming high. Even after a rough start, Freeze stays optimistic about Auburn’s future.
He says winning is just expected at a place like Auburn. With a stronger roster and better conditions, he thinks those close losses could turn into wins.
Conclusion
SEC coaches keep pushing for a single NCAA transfer portal window. They say it would make team management a lot easier and bring college football closer to the way pro sports operate.
With talk of expanding the College Football Playoff, these changes could really shake things up. If you’re curious about what the coaches actually think and want more details, check out the full article on Times Free Press.
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