LSU's Brian Kelly - SEC coaches unified on new portal dates - ESPN

SEC coaches expressed support Wednesday for the proposed move of college football's transfer portal window from December to January, arguing it's the best option even if it conflicts with the College Football Playoff schedule.

«I'm sorry, there's no crying on the yacht,» LSU coach Brian Kelly said Wednesday during the weekly SEC teleconference. «I mean, we gotta get this thing set and its best position at this time to allow us to set our rosters moving forward.»

Ohio State coach Ryan Day said Tuesday that he was not a fan of the proposal to open the transfer portal window on Jan. 2, 2026, for a 10-day period immediately following the CFP quarterfinals. Day is concerned about the difficulty of assembling a roster for next year while still competing in the playoff.

He said he believes a majority of Big Ten coaches and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti agree with him. Kelly said his fellow SEC coaches are unanimous in their support of shifting to a January portal period.

«I've talked to many that believe across the country this is the progress that we need to make,» Kelly said.

The FBS oversight committee voted last week to move the portal window to Jan. 2-11, 2026, giving FBS graduate and underclassman players 10 days to decide if they will enter their names in the NCAA transfer portal, and eliminate the April transfer window. The reform still needs to be approved by the Division I Administrative Committee, with a vote expected to occur before Oct. 1.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart acknowledged roster management could be «nightmarish» for the last four teams still competing for the national championship, but he agrees moving transfer recruiting to January is the best option and said several Big Ten coaches agree with him.

FBS