In the wake of UConn’s Big East Tournament victory, Coach Dan Hurley voiced his concerns over the potential departure of freshman Jaylin Stewart to the transfer portal, driven by lucrative name, image, and likeness (NIL) offers. Despite Stewart’s pivotal performance against Marquette, Hurley faces the task of convincing him to stay for a more significant role at UConn, the top-seeded team striving for a back-to-back national championship.
“We’ve just pleaded with him on a daily basis,” expressed Hurley. “That portal is calling and there’s a lot of tampering going on.”
The dynamics of coaching college sports have been transformed, making it easier for students to transfer and factor NIL deals into their decision-making. Coaches are left in a state of frustration, and some are pondering career changes.
With the NCAA Tournament’s inception, the transfer portal saw an influx of 748 Division I men and 594 Division I women athletes. Clemson Coach Brad Brownell, who is part of a coaching committee, expressed the difficulties this brings to coaches, especially those at mid-major schools.
Alabama’s renowned football coach, Nick Saban, cited the changed collegiate athletic environment influenced by NIL deals and new transfer policies as a reason for his retirement decision at 72, during a roundtable on Capitol Hill.
Coaching used to be predicated upon player development and personal success, a concept that Saban believes is fading away. Now, players can leave without the need to sit out for a year if they disagree with a coach or lack playtime.
Arizona’s Adia Barnes witnessed the departure of her top-scorer, Kailyn Gilbert, to the transfer portal and predicts such cases might lead to more coaches leaving the field. Nevertheless, Barnes also notes the potential benefits, stating that a program can quickly heighten its success with the right transfers.
LSU’s Kim Mulkey believes in adjustment and adaptation over reminiscing on the past, as she successfully brought in coveted transfers following their title run. Player Taylen Collins from Auburn appreciates the freedom granted by the transfer portal, lifting the constraints of high school decisions.
DePaul’s Doug Bruno, losing his star athlete to the new transfer dynamic, finds motivation in the challenge rather than discouragement, continuing his long coaching career with a will to excel amidst these changes.
AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness.
FAQ Section
Q: What are the new rules that are affecting college sports coaches?
A: The new rules making coaches concerned include the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation deals for student-athletes, which make it easier for them to transfer to other schools.
Q: What is the transfer portal?
A: The transfer portal is an online platform that streamlines the process for athletes considering transferring schools. It allows athletes to enter their names and explore other opportunities without needing permission from their current school.
Q: How is the transfer portal impacting recruitment?
A: The transfer portal has increased the movement of student-athletes between programs, requiring coaches to re-recruit their players continuously and to recruit potential transfers actively.
Q: How have NIL offers changed college athletics?
A: NIL offers allow student-athletes to profit from their likeness, name, and image through endorsements and sponsorships. This can influence their decision to stay at or transfer to a school that might present better financial opportunities.
Conclusion
The landscape of college athletics has seen significant changes with the advent of new rules pertaining to NIL compensation and the transfer portal. These modifications have brought about a new era where coaches contend with keeping their players motivated to stay while navigating the competitive recruiting environment. While some coaches like Hurley struggle with re-recruiting their outstanding athletes, others like Saban view retirement as a way out of this transformed scenario. Conversely, coaches like Bruno find a renewed drive to overcome these challenges. The future of coaching, in this new era, is likely to see a blend of visionary adopters and those who yearn for the traditional ways of collegiate sports.