Miami football head coach emeritus Mark Richt tweets strongly against new transfer rule

The proposed new transfer rule in college football has been created a polarizing discussion throughout college football. Former Miami football head coach Mark Richt posted strong against it on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon.

The new transfer rule initiated by the Big Ten Conference proposes that players may transfer from a four-year school once during their college careers without sitting out or penalty. In a Twitter post on Tuesday afternoon former Miami football head coach Mark Richt very clearly came out against the proposal.

The proposed rule has created a polarizing process on the rights of college athletes. No school has been more publicized in the transfer portal than the Miami football program since Manny Diaz took over from Richt late in 2018. Miami added nine players in the transfer portal in 2019 and added three high profile transfers in 2020.

Two of the transfers Miami added in the 2019 offseason came before Richt retired in late December 2019. Neither player worked out. Butler graduate transfer offensive tackle Tommy Kennedy barely played in 2019. Former Auburn running back Asa Martin left Miami after Spring Practice in 2019.

Coaches have been criticized for being hypocrites regarding the transfer process. Mel Tucker recently left Colorado for Michigan State less than a week after saying he was committed to the Buffaloes. Miami plays at Michigan State in September. Coaches routinely leave for other programs. That was not the case with Richt.

Richt was fortunate to be hired for his first head coaching job at Georgia where he remained for 15 years before being fired in November 2015. A former quarterback for the Miami football team, Richt returned to his alma mater shortly after being let go by the Bulldogs. He remained in Coral Gables for three seasons.

Richt did not have to look for jobs at high profile programs at the beginning of his career as a head coach or continually move up the ladder from a Group of Five program or lower. He earned the job at Georgia after being the offensive coordinator for many years under Bobby Bowden at Florida State.

The transfer process is a tough balance. It needs to be fair to the players first and foremost. Any non-student athlete can transfer at their own whim. Student-athletes in every sport but football, basketball, baseball and men’s hockey are also permitted to transfer without having to sit out a season.

The problem that has arisen in recent years is the advent of players being able to obtain a waiver to avoid sitting out one season as has been the antiquated rule of the past. The transfer portal has given players more power of being able to transfer without asking for a release from their scholarship from their current school.

Jon Steinbrecher who is the Commissioner of the MidAmerican conference and the Chair of the Transfer Waiver Working Group within the NCAA acknowledged recently that something has to be changed to modernize the transfer process in the major sports in college.

"“The current system is unsustainable. Working group members believe it’s time to bring our transfer rules more in line with today’s college landscape…This concept provides a uniform approach that is understandable, predictable and objective. Most importantly, it benefits students.We know that challenges will exist with this concept, particularly as it relates to other coaches potentially tampering with currently enrolled student-athletes. The working group will continue to examine this, as well as any potential financial aid and academic impacts, so the Council can make a fully informed decision.”"

Nick Kosko of 247Sports reported that the proposal by Steinbrecher and his group have four criteria that players will be expected to meet in order to be eligible to transfer to another school one time without having to sit out.

1. One, they need to receive an official transfer release from their school.
2. Two, they must leave their previous school academically eligible.
3. Three, maintain that same academic progress at the new school.
4. Finally, they cannot leave a school under disciplinary suspension.

A press release issued by the NCAA when the transfer portal was initiated in October 2018 stated that the Steinbrecher and his group hoped to have a decision made by the 2020-21 school year. That leaves about six months. Less if you consider that most college football programs consider spring practice the start of the 2020 season.