The NCAA Division I Administrative Committee, now the NCAA Division I Cabinet, voted to change the transfer window to a single timeframe. The vote comes after the FCS Oversight Committee recommended the change in September.
The new rule will see the transfer period open from January 2 through January 16. The previous rules had two separate transfer portals, with a 20-day window during December and another 10-day window in April. The original recommendation was for 10 days, but feedback from athletes led to the 15-day window. Athletes participating in the FCS playoffs will have to provide written transfer notification during a consecutive five-day period beginning the day after the final postseason game.
There will also be a change when high school seniors can begin receiving written offers from FCS programs. The new date will be November 15 of the player’s senior year of high school, instead of the August 1 date under previous rules. The Committee opted not to make any changes to the FCS December recruiting calendar.
The Administrative Committee also made a drastic change to the transfer policy involving head coaching changes. The rules will allow players to have a 15-day window to transfer, but the window doesn’t open until a new coach is announced or hired. The previous rules had a 30-day window, which opened immediately after a head coach was fired. The new 15-day window takes effect immediately. The change will effectively remove the in-season transfer portal. Per the NCAA:
Football student-athletes will have a 15-day window beginning five calendar days after the hiring or public announcement of a new head coach. If the school does not hire or announce a new head coach after 30 days, a 15-day window would open on the 31st day, as long as the 31st day falls on or after Jan 3. The opportunity for a 15-day window would be open until June 30. The change is effective immediately.
Photo Credit to NCAA / NCAA Photos
