Navigating a New Reality: The Uniform One-Time Transfer Exemption from the Group of Five Perspective

Panelists

  • John David “JD” Wicker, Director of Athletics, San Diego State University (Moderator)
  • Rashon Burno, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Northern Illinois University
  • Niko Medved, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Colorado State University
  • Ritchie Riley, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, University of South Alabama

Webinar Recap

As a follow-up on LEAD1 Association’s (LEAD1’s) webinar from early May on the NCAA’s new one-time transfer exemption with “Power Five” men’s basketball coaches, on Tuesday, LEAD1 hosted its latest webinar on the uniform one-time transfer from the “Group of Five” perspective. Our very own, John David Wicker (San Diego State), moderated the panel with some of our best group of five men’s basketball coaches, Rashon Burno (Northern Illinois), Niko Medved (Colorado State), and Richie Riley (South Alabama). For those LEAD1 athletics administrators unable to attend the live webinar, here are the key takeaways:

  1. This “group” of group of five coaches does not seem to be as concerned as one might think. Riley made a novel point that the talent sort of “balances out if you are strategic in approaching the [transfer] portal.” In that regard, student-athletes from larger schools who are concerned about playing time might decide to “transfer down,” to get more minutes. Burno stressed the importance of being patient particularly for institutions not generally considered “first options” in recruiting top talent. “We will not fundamentally change,” said Medved. In terms of scholarship management “we might, however, need to be more mindful on the front end of recruiting” in terms of spotting potential issues that could arise later on.
  2. There are questions surrounding the waiver process. There are concerns with respect to situations in which a student-athlete does not meet the one-time transfer guideline because such circumstances may be subjective.  The NCAA has adopted a deadline of May 1 for fall and winter sport student-athletes to provide written notification of transfer if they want to compete immediately. A waiver situation might occur, however, if an institution fires a coach after the May deadline. It is worth mentioning that LEAD1’s Transfers Working Group has advocated for a very high and narrow standard for waivers that are consistently applied, otherwise, current issues like the steady stream of waivers, outside lawyers remaining in the process, and the media creating undue pressure on such cases will continue to persist.
  3. Tampering is hard to enforce. There are concerns that an immediate transfer would lead to widespread tampering, which is almost impossible to monitor. The issue is enforcement, which is particularly hard without the NCAA having subpoena power.
  4. Relationship building will win the day. Every staff member within athletics, including trainers and academics personnel, have a purpose in their interactions with student-athletes. The panel agreed that “information gathering” from these staff people will be critically important to supporting student-athletes who may be having issues. While coaches should not necessarily change their traditional standards and culture, knowing that a student-athlete could leave immediately should create more intentionality in terms of coaches being more transparent and providing reasoning in their communications with players. Better relationship-building generally creates greater flexibility to be tougher on players. Ultimately, the “right guys” will decide to stay, said Riley.