NCAA Transfer Portal

This is a change-of-pace from my usual blog focus. On the other hand, it’s all about values, which keeps it in the same ball park (sic).

My two cents' worth (and, yes, some of you will want change back): in college football, the transfer portal is ruining the integrity of the sport and may prove irreparably damaging unless it is restructured.

Marshal University's "Thundering Herd" had earned the right to meet nationally ranked Army in the Independence Bowl, but contract talks with the head coach stalled, and the coach resigned, leaving the team high and dry. In response, 36 players, including all the team's quarterbacks, entered the transfer portal, depleting the team's roster so that the team had to withdraw from the bowl game. The University lost millions of dollars, and dozens of college athletes lost their chance to participate in the fruits of a great season and a Sun Belt Conference championship.

Two points in response that are flip sides of the same coin: (1) coach contracts should not be negotiated, nor should the transfer portal be opened (if at all) until all bowl games and playoffs have been completed. Then both coaches and players can pursue what's best for them without dumping the team before they have completed what they started together.

When Marshall's newly hired coach inherited the depleted roster (which included 29 scholarship players) his comment was, "Any time coaches leave to take other jobs, it is emotional and kids that are 18 to 22 years old are going to make emotional decisions instead of just breathing for a day or two."

(2) So the flip side is that decisions that impact a school's entire athletic program are being made by immature males who are hyped up on testosterone and pampered and spoiled and have adopted an "entitled" attitude because they can play football.

Granted: these kids make $millions for their colleges and universities, and maybe a full-ride scholarship that includes a college degree with room and board isn't enough compensation. But does not the "Name, Image, and Likeness" (NIL) concept in collegiate athletics provide enough? And how much is enough?

Granted: NCAA coaches are multimillionaires these days, while the players get free room and board and a college degree—and if they’re good enough, an NIL deal. But coaches' livelihoods also are at the mercy of the productivity of a bunch of 18- to 22-year-old males who fit the description above, and who evidence no accountability or loyalty to the coach or the school or the team.

Granted: these kids should have a right to maximize their potential; but does not part of personal potential include the development of a sense of loyalty and commitment?

So, the two sides of the coin are (1) the timing of the decisions and behaviors that impact school athletic programs and (2) the knee-jerk, emotional element that triggers decisions from immature and entitled males who are good at playing a game.

Bottom line: I really don't blame the kids. They're just reflecting the values of our culture that is becoming increasingly “Me-oriented” with each succeeding generation; furthermore, too many of them are not yet mature enough to do so with accountability.

It's the system that is out of control.

That’s the way it looks through the Flawed Glass that is my world view.

Together in the Walk,

Jim


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