Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin blames the transfer portal ‘system’

On By Littum

Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin hasn’t been shy about criticizing the state of college football.

Kiffin has particularly complained about the transfer portal situation. Just because he’s good at using it doesn’t mean it’s flawless.

Because the transfer portal window opened on Dec. 9, some players planning to switch teams in the postseason were presented with an unwinnable proposition: Finish the postseason or enter the portal early enough to avoid roster spots (and NIL opportunities) drying up out.

Miss Ole (9-3) plays Duke (9-3) in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Thursday (6:30 p.m., ESPN) at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Gator Bowl is an example of that predicament playing out. After a record season, Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy transferred away from Duke.

“It’s not the kids’ fault,” Kiffin said Wednesday. “It’s the system’s fault. Sometimes you can get really mad at the kids. It’s not their fault at all.”

Kiffin spoke broadly about the situation in a joint press conference with Duke coach Manny Diaz. Kiffin has previously advocated changing the window in which the transfer portal is open.

Kiffin, who coached the Oakland Raiders from 2007-08, says the NFL model makes more sense.

“We’re still playing,” Kiffin said. “You would never create a system in any professional sport — pro sports have figured this out — where you have free agency right at the end of the regular season before the postseason. With all the manipulation that’s been talked about and stuff like that , puts it into kids’ heads during the season, they’re going to go somewhere else.”

Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or contact him at X at @Sam_Hutchens_