Lane Kiffin: 'It Really is a Dumb System' to Open Transfer Portal Before Bowls

The end of the college football regular season is really just the beginning of the juggling act for coaches across the country.

And Lane Kiffin isn't a fan of it.

"We just try to make the best of the situations," the Ole Miss head coach told reporters Tuesday. "It really is a dumb system."

The system in place features an early national signing day period that runs from Dec. 4-6 and a transfer portal window that runs from Dec. 9-28. That means coaches and teams are preparing for bowl games and the College Football Playoff while drastic roster changes are taking place at the same time.

"The season's not over yet, and there's a free agency window open," Kiffin said.

"Just think if the NFL was getting ready for the AFC, NFC playoffs, postseason, and players are in free agency already. It's a really poor system, but we just try to manage the best we can through it, and hopefully someday it'll get fixed."

Ole Miss' opponent for the upcoming Gator Bowl is certainly familiar with the challenges the current system presents.

Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy is entering the transfer portal, which means Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz will have to either Henry Belin or Grayson Loftis against the Rebels.

"Think about what we're talking about or what [Diaz] just had to address: a quarterback going in the portal," Kiffin said. "Just think about what we're talking about."

Cramming so many monumental parts of the college football calendar into one month creates chaos, confusion and situations where rosters aren't going to be at full-strength for bowl games or important CFP contests.

Some players may even be put into a situation where they have to choose between remaining with their teams or taking advantage of a transfer window with an eye on their next opportunity.

The departures also put more pressure on the teammates of players who are leaving, especially those preparing for a potential run at the national title.

"I respect all those guys who've been here, entered the portal and left," Tennessee captain Omari Thomas said of Volunteers players who entered the portal ahead of the CFP.

"They're doing what's best for them. But we'd love to have those guys here with us on this journey that we're going on. All we can do is respect it, but we've got to be ready to fight (through playoffs) with the guys that are still willing to play for this team, play for Tennessee."

There is also a spring transfer window in April that will offer less juggling for programs and coaches, but there has been no shortage of players to enter the portal in the December window.