Ryan Day has made it clear he’s fed up with the NCAA’s new January transfer portal window. The Ohio State coach said the current setup “punishes playoff teams” and proves that the NCAA isn’t listening to programs still playing for national titles.
Ryan Day Says NCAA Ignored Coaches on Transfer Window
"I brought this up several times, apparently it's gone on deaf ears."
Ryan Day on how the new transfer portal window from January 2-16th hurts teams that are deep into the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/u2FB8pc3Yh
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 14, 2025
During his press conference on Monday, Day criticized the NCAA for ignoring multiple requests from coaches to adjust the new transfer portal window. The window now runs from January 2 to January 16, a timeline that overlaps with the College Football Playoff, and leaves championship contenders scrambling to make roster decisions while still preparing for games.
“I’ve brought this up several times. Apparently, it’s gone on deaf ears,” Day said. “We want to be in that situation, but whoever it is is probably going to wake up and say, wait a minute, this isn’t right. I have five or six guys I need to replace, and I can’t now.”
Playoff Teams “Up Against the Eight Ball”
Day said the timing forces programs like Ohio State, who are favorites to win the National Championship with top sportsbooks, to make decisions while their season is still ongoing. He described it as an uneven playing field compared to non-playoff teams that can use the full two-week window to recruit transfers before classes start.
“The teams that are making it late into the playoffs are really up against the eight ball,” Day said. “Once the season is over, there’s a five-day window where the portal is open, and then there’s no opportunity to replace those guys.”
He added that by the time Ohio State’s postseason ends, the transfer portal has already closed or nearly closed, eliminating any realistic chance to fill roster gaps created by outgoing transfers.
Day’s Longstanding Frustration with the NCAA
This isn’t a new stance for Day. He has voiced the same complaint in past offseasons, arguing that the NCAA’s calendar makes it impossible for playoff programs to compete evenly in roster management. His frustration on Monday felt sharper, with phrases like “nobody cares” and “we’ll just deal with it” showing clear irritation toward the governing body.
“They decided to make the rule, and we all have to deal with it,” Day said. “Nobody cares, so move on. That’s the way it goes. We’ll get our plan together and go from there.”
Growing Pressure for NCAA Reform
Day’s comments add to a growing list of coaches urging the NCAA to rethink the transfer portal rules. Several have proposed pushing the window back to open after the College Football Playoff concludes, giving every team the same timeframe to manage rosters and pursue replacements.
Until that happens, playoff contenders like Ohio State will keep facing what Day calls “a roster penalty for success.” The NCAA has yet to indicate any plans to revisit the calendar before next offseason.
What Comes Next for Ohio State
Ohio State remains a playoff contender, but Day’s remarks show the balancing act he faces every January. As the Buckeyes prepare for their next postseason run, they’ll have to juggle recruiting, roster management, and playoff preparation, all under rules that he believes give them less time than anyone else.
For Day, it’s not just about fairness. It’s about whether the NCAA wants the best teams in college football to keep playing at a disadvantage created by their own system.
