"We have no rules in college football": Nick Saban on urgent measures to discipline misuse of transfer portal

Nick Saban has voiced his concerns about the lack of regulations in college football, particularly regarding the transfer portal. The Alabama coach emphasized the need for urgent measures to address its misuse. He called for the sport to align more closely with the academic calendar, suggesting the creation of national legislation to establish clearer guidelines.

This year, players were allowed to enter the transfer portal starting Dec. 9 — just after the College Football Playoff rankings and bowl assignments were announced.

The window remains open until Dec. 28, with another transfer period scheduled for the spring. Speaking on the subject, Saban shared his thoughts on Friday at ESPN College GameDay.

“We have a Constitution, we have a Bill of Rights – that’s what this country was built on,” Saban said. “We have no rules in college football.”

“The academic calendar and the football calendar do not match up relative to the season,” he added. “It should never be that a player can leave his team before the end of the football season. You don’t need to be a free agent twice a year."

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Nick Saban urges a more structured approach

Saban proposed that the transfer window occur after the season concludes, potentially in May, to provide a more structured approach.

“If it was in May, season’s over,” Said explained. “People say, ‘Well, I couldn’t go to spring practice.’ Well, you can find out what your role on your team’s gonna be in spring practice.” [Timestamp - 2:57]

“You might start and not need to transfer,” he added. “I don’t know the answers, but right now, we have no rules and no guidelines in college football. And I’m not trying to take away any options from the player.

“But you shouldn’t be able to leave your team before the end of the season. I don’t think that’s good for the player, and it’s certainly not good for your team and your teammates.”

Nick Saban’s comments on reform highlight the need for structure in what he describes as an increasingly chaotic environment.