Kirk Ferentz blasts NCAA's 'real lack of structure' around NIL, transfer portal

Count Kirk Ferentz as one of the many college football coaches calling for change when it comes to the NIL and transfer portal. The Iowa head coach had plenty to say on the topic Tuesday at Big Ten Media Days, noting how the current system has potential to lead to less parity in future seasons.

“There’s a real lack of structure and framework in our sport right now, which I think is concerning and dangerous,” Ferentz said. “NIL I think is a great initiative and great conceptually, but it looks like there’s some potential of getting back to haves and have nots. We’re always gonna have those, but the degree of separation has the potential to accelerate.

“I don’t think it’s a great look when you’ve got national coaches bickering in public. I’m not judging anybody, but I’m not sure that’s good for our sport collectively. Our transfer policies right now are a little bit concerning too. That being said, I don’t think any of us want somebody on our team that’s not happy. That’s not good for anybody. That’s a bad marriage.”

Ferentz went on to compare the modern landscape of college football to his time in the NFL with both the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. Similar to the sentiments of coaches such as Nick Saban and Lane Kiffin, the Hawkeyes head man pointed to a salary cap and free agency period as things that could serve to benefit college football in the age of NIL.

“There’s just so many things on the horizon and spending six years in the NFL where they had a salary cap, I commend our conference because we do revenue shares,” he said. “Some don’t. That’s like major league baseball versus NFL. But there is a system there for a limit on how much or how little players can be paid.

“There’s also a system of movement. There are times when players can move and can’t move. I have no idea how you get to that point in college football, but right now I’m sure there’s a lot of us who are a little confused on what the rules are. I’m not sure that’s healthy. We just have such a good game. I’d hate to see it implode or suffer a setback because things are a little too loose.”

The 2022 college football season will be just the second year that players can profit from their name, image and likeness. The transfer portal was first introduced a few years before in 2018. With these rules being so new, it only makes sense that there are some kinks to work out. Many coaches have called for congress to step in with a federal ruling, because as of right now laws are decided on the state level.

Until that happens, coaches such as Kirk Ferentz will likely continue to call for change to NIL.