With Alabama hiring Kalen DeBoer, 30-day transfer portal window opens at Washington

The successor has been tabbed. Alabama has hired Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer to succeed Nick Saban, who announced his decision to retire on Wednesday night.

DeBoer will be the guy to follow the guy. Saban is the best coach the sport has ever seen, winning six national championships in 17 seasons with the Crimson Tide. Athletic director Greg Byrne moved fast in his search, making a hire less than 48 hours after the news break that Saban was retiring.

The Washington head coach now heads to the SEC, stepping into one of the most followed and scrutinized jobs in college football. He leaves a wake in Seattle, though. Because DeBoer decided to leave the West Coast, athletic director Troy Dannen is charged with finding a replacement.

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The transfer portal now extends for 30 days for Washington athletes, allowing time to decide on their future with DeBoer leaving, according to NCAA guidelines. With the one-time transfer rule, athletes can play immediately at new schools.

Plus, the NCAA sent guidance to institutions in December that multi-time transfers who enter the transfer portal this fall will be eligible to play at a new school in the 2024-25 academic year without securing a waiver.

What to know about Washington’s extended transfer portal

It’s been a whirlwind week for the Huskies. On Monday, Washington played for the national championship for the first time since 1991. With a head coach who was 25-3 in two seasons, everything seemed on track for a bright future in the Big Ten.

Then Nick Saban retired, with DeBoer thrust into the mix as the favorite to succeed the Alabama coach. He’s now agreed to the deal and notified his staff and team. Washington players will now have a 30-day extension to enter the transfer portal.

This also comes roughly 48 hours before Washington’s initial window to enter college football’s free agency would have closed at midnight on Saturday night. That cutoff time had been extended, per NCAA rules, because the Huskies played in the College Football Playoff national title game.

Hiring a head coach as quickly as possible will be the first step to keeping a roster together, closing of any doubt of the program’s future. Grad transfers are allowed to enter the portal at any time. Retention will be crucial for the next head coach, with NIL playing a vital role in keeping rosters together in the new age of college football.

Washington players will have free rein to transfer wherever they please. If any Huskies choose to not leave during the next month, they will be able to enter the portal during the NCAA’s 15-day spring window. That is scheduled from Tuesday, April 16 to Tuesday, April 30.

Washington defensive backs Mishael Powell and Jabbar Muhammad entered the portal on Friday afternoon after news broke of DeBoer’s hire.

Academic calendar will play role

While the NCAA will not stop athletes from entering the portal, the academic calendar will play a role. The winter quarter officially began on Jan 3. According to the Washington registrar website, the last day to withdraw without owing tuition or fees was on Jan 9.

The final day to withdraw and drop all classes is set for March 8. Maybe more difficult for athletes will be able to transfer to top programs in time to enroll and participate in spring ball.

Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State all started classes this week. LSU and Texas start their second semesters next week, too.

For some athletes, because of the way the calendar works, it could mean entering the portal and waiting to enroll at a new institution until the summer time. Others could enter the portal and drive up their NIL price, waiting out a decision.