[LU Armchair coach]

Oh absolutely—because apparently the Transfer Portal just dropped yesterday, right?

For the ASOR armchair homers clutching their pearls: the portal has been wide open since 2018. That’s 6–7 years now. Not a beta test. Not a trial run. Long enough that even the slowest “football minds” should’ve figured it out by now.

And let’s not forget the real plot twist—the no sit-out version has been around since 2021. That’s 4 full seasons of players being able to leave without doing a year in witness protection. This isn’t new. This isn’t sudden. This isn’t “the game just changed overnight.”

At this point, still blaming the portal is like blaming the forward pass in 1940. Programs that adapt recruit the portal. Programs that don’t… run to message boards and scream about “loyalty” while their roster gets lapped.

The portal isn’t ruining your program.
Your inability to understand it after 6–7 years might be.

[Minnesota Flames fan]

The difference with the portal now vs. 2018 is the authorization of $! The incentive to move every year is based on money now over loyalty. Kaden Salter got what he deserved in $ based on his play at Liberty but he sucked at CO in place of $. So whatever, if people don't want to be loyal then we shouldn't want them. No matter who is coach. Indiana popped out of nowhere so it can be done. And explain why so many CUSA teams played in bowls and were way better than Liberty. It's a coaching issue at this point, and probably a culture issue.

[LU Armchair coach]

I agree completely, and I’ll add this too — HCJC is great at talking the talk. He always sounds convincing in pressers and knows exactly what to say, but at some point that stops meaning anything. Word gets out from the locker room, and when players aren’t buying in or don’t believe what’s being preached, that’s a huge red flag. You can’t build a strong culture on speeches alone. If the message isn’t matching what’s actually happening behind closed doors, guys notice, and it shows on the field. That’s why this feels bigger than just a bad stretch — it’s a coaching and culture issue, plain and simple.