Is the Portal out of control?

El Paso Eagle · December 10

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https://x.com/bmarcello/status/1866606092350001553

UNTLifer · December 10

Yes, it is out of control. Teaches kids that if it doesn't work out, to take your ball and run off instead of working hard and earning your way.

Cougar King · December 10

A lot of these guys won't even find another team to play for.

If you're not a top or middle-tier guy, I would suggest staying put at the school you're at.

El Paso Eagle · December 10

10 minutes ago, Cougar King said:

A lot of these guys won't even find another team to play for.

If you're not a top or middle-tier guy, I would suggest staying put at the school you're at.

Good point, but I'm sure most of these kids think they're going to be the exception to any rule. I also wonder, out of curiosity, that in the past, we knew teams had encouraged players to leave, but Dion Sanders took it to a new level, openly cutting players. I wonder how many players in this group were told it was time for you to leave.

Cougar King · December 10

13 minutes ago, El Paso Eagle said:

Good point, but I'm sure most of these kids think they're going to be the exception to any rule. I also wonder, out of curiosity, that in the past, we knew teams had encouraged players to leave, but Dion Sanders took it to a new level, openly cutting players. I wonder how many players in this group were told it was time for you to leave.

Several. A lot of guys at every school are outright told to hit the transfer portal.

Dannymacfan · December 10

1 minute ago, Cougar King said:

Several. A lot of guys at every school are outright told to hit the transfer portal.

I don’t think that happen here.

wardly · December 10

Yes. Schools who lost their head coaches basically lost the meat of their team thru transfers.

97and03 · December 11

22 hours ago, Dannymacfan said:

I don’t think that happen here.

We just changed defensive coordinators/schemes. I think we should assume it is happening or will in the spring.

BillySee58 · December 11

23 hours ago, El Paso Eagle said:

https://x.com/bmarcello/status/1866606092350001553

23 hours ago, UNTLifer said:

Yes, it is out of control. Teaches kids that if it doesn't work out, to take your ball and run off instead of working hard and earning your way.

This is so tiring, guys. Over and over, we get it.

22 hours ago, Dannymacfan said:

I don’t think that happen here.

Matthew Moore didn’t play at all here for two years then hit the portal. At the very least strongly encouraged to transfer.

UNTLifer · December 11

1 minute ago, BillySee58 said:

This is so tiring, guys. Over and over, we get it.

Matthew Moore didn’t play at all here for two years then hit the portal. At the very least strongly encouraged to transfer.

I agree. Get over it.

Coffee and TV · December 11

From the people who brought you "if you don't like your job just quit" now bring you "why are you quitting just because you don't like your job?".

untbowler · December 11

if we have defensive players who have rarely touched the field in 2 yrs on the worst defense in the country, then probably a good thing their transferring and freeing up a spot

GrandGreen · December 11

22 hours ago, Dannymacfan said:

I don’t think that happen here.

Sure it does, why would you think it does not?

BillySee58 · December 12

4 hours ago, UNTLifer said:

I agree. Get over it.

There’s nothing to get over. It’s just perplexing trying to understand why you two whine about the current state of the transfer portal and NIL completely year round. No new dialogue or talking points, just the same rehashed frustration.

DentonLurker · December 12

All of you who don’t like that players are “picking up their balls and going home” can’t say jack about firing coaches before their contracts are up. You’re not allowed to “take your ball and go home.” You made a commitment to that coach. Honor it.

NTXDJ · December 12

51 minutes ago, DentonLurker said:

All of you who don’t like that players are “picking up their balls and going home” can’t say jack about firing coaches before their contracts are up. You’re not allowed to “take your ball and go home.” You made a commitment to that coach. Honor it.

There is a HUGE difference between someone quitting and someone getting fired. If a school cans a coach before his contract is up, but abides by that contract and pays him what he is owed, then the school is honoring the contract. I would also note that scholarships aren't the same as contracts.

UNTLifer · December 12

3 hours ago, BillySee58 said:

There’s nothing to get over. It’s just perplexing trying to understand why you two whine about the current state of the transfer portal and NIL completely year round. No new dialogue or talking points, just the same rehashed frustration.

Because it is a bullshit system. I don’t need some kid running a podcast that gives him the attitude that he is all knowing to tell me that his opinion on the system is better than mine. It is what it is. I don’t like it. I see kids chasing dollars hoping to secure their future and probably forgoing their education.

Do you really think Chandler Morris is worth the reported $1 million dollars Okie St is throwing at him? Do you think Ohio State’s $200 million payroll provided a solid return? It is not a sustainable system and is not being administered as intended. These collectives are paying kids a salary to just be on the team. It has nothing to do with marketing their likeness, their name or their image.
It has turned our program into nothing more than a prep program for the P4 teams. We, UNT, spend time and money developing kids for what? For them to move along to the highest bidder and we get $0 in return. It is not a sustainable system. Why do “G5” donors want to throw money at these kids that have zero loyalty to us? What is the return? Hopefully 9 or 10 wins, a conference title and some BS bowl game only to watch our best players walk prior to the bowl game/playoffs?

Sorry but the dialogue and “talking points” haven’t changed. It is nothing more than a game of greed. This is college sports with misplaced priorities that are ruining the game, in my humble opinion.

That satisfy you?

UNTLifer · December 12

1 hour ago, NTXDJ said:

There is a HUGE difference between someone quitting and someone getting fired. If a school cans a coach before his contract is up, but abides by that contract and pays him what he is owed, then the school is honoring the contract. I would also note that scholarships aren't the same as contracts.

Yep. The system can’t have it both ways. Either pay the kids a salary and let them pay for their schooling or stick with the scholarship system.

Having hardworking students pay an “athletics fee” to support these programs while these athletes are getting a salary on top of all the benefits of their scholarship is system set up to fail.

TheColonyEagle · December 12

10 hours ago, UNTLifer said:

Do you really think Chandler Morris is worth the reported $1 million dollars Okie St is throwing at him?

Lifer, I hear you....but of course Chandler Morris is worth the money. The reason I know that he is worth the money is someone is willing to pay it.

I don't think the portal is out of control. I think the portal is behaving in a way that was inevitable. We can't say "these damn 20 year olds are old enough to make their own decisions...quit holding their hands" and then get upset when they do. Are they good decisions? Who knows. Good for some, not good for others. They'll find out.

What I don't want to see is we then turn around and treat them like victims when it doesn't go well or they don't protect themselves and get taken advantage of.

Weigh the risks and rewards, make the decision, live with the consequences or do something different...you know like normal every day adults do every day.

When they graduate/leave school they will have opportunities to go on the open market, leave their job for more pay, get fired, laid off, start their own business, fail, start again, make a mistake leaving one situation to go to another, etc.

The transfer portal is no different.

TheColonyEagle · December 12

I think the reason we get upset when kids enter the portal is we see them as quitting on our school. The school we love and have attachment to. That love and attachment will never leave. And we take it personally when a kid that got to come to UNT for free leaves and goes somewhere else and they have no loyalty or care about The University of North Texas.

What we have to do is realize not one player on any team we have truly gives a damn about UNT. Especially not at the level we do. So what we have to do is not give a damn about them. Why should we? That's not being negative toward the kids...just look at them objectively.

Give them the same love they give UNT, meaning cheer for them when they're here, hope they help us win, then shitcan them. Good luck at your next stop, who's next?

Makes all this much better to stomach.

TheColonyEagle · December 12

10 hours ago, UNTLifer said:

Having hardworking students pay an “athletics fee” to support these programs while these athletes are getting a salary on top of all the benefits of their scholarship is system set up to fail.

I agree with that.

meaniegreenie · Thursday at 10:24 PM

4 hours ago, TheColonyEagle said:

I think the reason we get upset when kids enter the portal is we see them as quitting on our school. The school we love and have attachment to. That love and attachment will never leave. And we take it personally when a kid that got to come to UNT for free leaves and goes somewhere else and they have no loyalty or care about The University of North Texas.

What we have to do is realize not one player on any team we have truly gives a damn about UNT. Especially not at the level we do. So what we have to do is not give a damn about them. Why should we? That's not being negative toward the kids...just look at them objectively.

Give them the same love they give UNT, meaning cheer for them when they're here, hope they help us win, then shitcan them. Good luck at your next stop, who's next?

Makes all this much better to stomach.

And I'm putting their families in the group as well.

Last year was the final straw when I responded to tweets by several family members during the BB season (after doing the same thing the previous year for a certain player who will remain nameless here).

They'd be cheering on the MG team (via accounts related to their specific player) and many of us would give positive responses of support, appreciate, and encouragement. Then at the end of the season, so many of these same players left after the team had a decent season with a first year coach and many players available to return.

I don't know if I felt betrayed or simply realized that all of their posting was simply temporary (fake) support for whatever school their kid was playing for. The name on the front of the uniform really didn't matter and they had NO pride in obtaining a UNT diploma. Of course some amount of relocation should be expected, but nowadays, it seems like it's become the norm and not the rare occurrence.

This whole thing kinda reminds me of something I saw growing up as a coach's kid in a small town. I was the typical gym rat and on Monday's the Jr High games would be played and I'd hang out and watch the games after our practice was done.

Inevitably, EVERY year I'd see the same funny thing. Some family (that I knew) and that likely went to the HS games would now attend Jr Hi games as well because their kid was playing. Every year, they'd comment on how nobody was there. I'd simply think to myself, it's the same size crowd as every year, but it's now your turn to be the only ones here. Sure enough, after 2 years, they'd be back to only HS games (unless they had another kid coming along in JH). Again, it's a different situation, but it does remind me of the same temporary support.

TheColonyEagle · Thursday at 10:34 PM

10 minutes ago, meaniegreenie said:

And I'm putting their families in the group as well.

Last year was the final straw when I responded to tweets by several family members during the BB season (after doing the same thing the previous year for a certain player who will remain nameless here).

They'd be cheering on the MG team (via accounts related to their specific player) and many of us would give positive responses of support, appreciate, and encouragement. Then at the end of the season, so many of these same players left after the team had a decent season with a first year coach and many players available to return.

I don't know if I felt betrayed or simply realized that all of their posting was simply temporary (fake) support for whatever school their kid was playing for. The name on the front of the uniform really didn't matter and they had NO pride in obtaining a UNT diploma. Of course some amount of relocation should be expected, but nowadays, it seems like it's become the norm and not the rare occurrence.

This whole thing kinda reminds me of something I saw growing up as a coach's kid in a small town. I was the typical gym rat and on Monday's the Jr High games would be played and I'd hang out and watch the games after our practice was done.

Inevitably, EVERY year I'd see the same funny thing. Some family (that I knew) and that likely went to the HS games would now attend Jr Hi games as well because their kid was playing. Every year, they'd comment on how nobody was there. I'd simply think to myself, it's the same size crowd as every year, but it's now your turn to be the only ones here. Sure enough, after 2 years, they'd be back to only HS games (unless they had another kid coming along in JH). Again, it's a different situation, but it does remind me of the same temporary support.

good perspective...

DentonStang · Friday at 01:01 AM

2 hours ago, meaniegreenie said:

And I'm putting their families in the group as well.

Last year was the final straw when I responded to tweets by several family members during the BB season (after doing the same thing the previous year for a certain player who will remain nameless here).

They'd be cheering on the MG team (via accounts related to their specific player) and many of us would give positive responses of support, appreciate, and encouragement. Then at the end of the season, so many of these same players left after the team had a decent season with a first year coach and many players available to return.

I don't know if I felt betrayed or simply realized that all of their posting was simply temporary (fake) support for whatever school their kid was playing for. The name on the front of the uniform really didn't matter and they had NO pride in obtaining a UNT diploma. Of course some amount of relocation should be expected, but nowadays, it seems like it's become the norm and not the rare occurrence.

This whole thing kinda reminds me of something I saw growing up as a coach's kid in a small town. I was the typical gym rat and on Monday's the Jr High games would be played and I'd hang out and watch the games after our practice was done.

Inevitably, EVERY year I'd see the same funny thing. Some family (that I knew) and that likely went to the HS games would now attend Jr Hi games as well because their kid was playing. Every year, they'd comment on how nobody was there. I'd simply think to myself, it's the same size crowd as every year, but it's now your turn to be the only ones here. Sure enough, after 2 years, they'd be back to only HS games (unless they had another kid coming along in JH). Again, it's a different situation, but it does remind me of the same temporary support.

Come on man, it was no different before. A player at school X usually could not care less about X until they signed to play there. A lot of students didn't care about X until they enrolled, too. And when they didn't like the classes/social scene/town/it was too hard/etc they cared about school Y they moved to not school X anymore.