Ole Miss Football: Lane Kiffin has criticism for transfer portal timing
Nobody has taken advantage of the transfer portal rule changes like Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. However, he isn't a fan of the system, including a few other things surrounding the transfer portal.
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin was on the podium early, talking about the signing class, amongst other things. Before the question started to roll in, Kiffin had a few things to say about the transfer portal, especially the timing of when it opened.
Kiffin mentioned that the current season is still ongoing, with Ole Miss set to compete in the Peach Bowl against Penn State on Dec.30. Kiffin took a jab at the NCAA by saying, "No other sport would you have free agency before the playoffs".
Kiffin discusses the portal going on now during season: "We haven't even finished our season and we're in free agency. No other sport would you have free agency before the playoffs. It's unfortunate the way it is. Not complaining. We'll maximize the rules around it and put…
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) December 20, 2023
Kiffin is not the only person to criticise the system. Amongst many other media guys, Joel Klatt spoke on his podcast this week about the timing of the transfer portal opening. The one-time Colorado quarterback, now Fox Sports analyst, used the Maalik Murphy situation as the main point in his argument.
Maalik Murphy, the backup QB at Texas, entered the transfer portal a few days ago despite the Longhorns being in the college football playoff. As Joe Klatt said, "His hands were tied" due to the timing of when the transfer portal opened.
"What happens if Quinn Ewers goes down? He was the backup!... What if that was in the cards for Maalik Murphy and now that’s stripped from his cause we can't figure out the calendar?"@JoelKlatt discusses if the Maalik Murphy transfer portal situation proves the CFB calendar is… pic.twitter.com/V6lLcxrvek
— The Joel Klatt Show: A CFB Pod (@JoelKlattShow) December 19, 2023
Klatt also spoke about the big gap between conference championship weekend and the college football playoffs.
As well as the transfer portal timing, Lane Kiffin mentioned that the early signing day causes havoc in the lead-up to bowl games in December. When the new 12-team playoff starts next season, it will be happening slap bang in the middle of signing day and free agency.
Lane Kiffin on early signing day in December: "It's not ideal at all. I understand they do have difficulty with January school starting...but this is not ideal. We're practicing today and coaches have their cell phones out at practice because it's signing day. And people who have…
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) December 20, 2023
It doesn't seem feasible for all that to be going on while teams are competing in college football playoff games. We will likely see the Maalik Murphy situation happening, which doesn't feel right.
With coaches like Lane Kiffin speaking out, along with media personalities in Joel Klatt, it could force the hands of the NCAA to change the scheduling. We shall see what the future holds for the December free agency and early signing day.
Next. Ole Miss Football: Rebels 2024 schedule breakdown and predictions. Ole Miss Football: Rebels 2024 schedule breakdown and predictions. dark