THE HIGH SCHOOL TRANSFER PORTAL

BY MARVIN SEDBERRY JR. THSCA REGION 3 DIRECTOR/DIRECTOR - ATHLETICS/HEAD FOOTBALL COACH, TERRELL HS

Success in Texas High School football can be achieved in many ways. One key strategy is developing a fundamentally sound program that builds strong football IQ in players from a young age. This foundation ensures that by the time they reach high school, they possess the knowledge and skills needed to excel and take control of the game. That way takes long term planning, execution, and patience. Another way that some programs have found to achieve success is through the Texas High School “Transfer Portal”. There are many ways to utilize this program, both legally and illegally. What a coach chooses to do is ultimately based on their integrity and values. One thing no one can argue is the “Transfer Portal” has changed the way Texas High School football is played.

Is “winning at all costs” becoming the new norm? The stakes in Texas High School Football have never been higher. Administrators, school boards, communities, and athletes all expect and demand success. Falling short of these expectations can mean the loss of your job, regardless of effort or progress.

This high-pressure environment is mirrored by the influence of the four major college football conferences. The four major college sports conferences, the Big 10, Big 12, Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Southeastern Conference (SEC), make up the Power 4 Conferences in the US. Society demands instant results and this push has affected every level of football. Fans, alumni, and organizations expect immediate success, and if they don’t see it, they push for players to be cut or replaced. In these conferences, massive resources are poured into recruiting the best talent with the promise of NIL deals. Student athletes can earn money when they participate in endorsement deals, creating a strong social media presence to monetize their personal brand. This focus on performance and monetary reward has shifted the motivation for many young athletes— from a love of the game to a love of the wealth it promises.

This mindset has bled into high school sports, contributing to the misuse of mechanisms like the “transfer portal,” raising ethical and legal concerns about its impact on the integrity of the game. Since the implementation of NIL deals at the collegiate level, rogue agents have popped up throughout the communities recruiting players by the promise of a pipeline to a NIL deal at the next level. Parents have given over guardianship to their children in exchange for the promise that an NIL deal will be returned at the end of their high school career. These agents prey upon the instant gratification mindset, the poverty community, and the entitlement felt amongst young people. Agents guide parents by creating a falsification of documents to beat the system. Due to the lack of oversight at the national level, it is easy to take a player to another state, play him there, and then return them to Texas and have the PAPF paperwork be sent to the out of state school. They are not obligated to complete the paperwork and if it has been more than a year since the athlete last played in Texas, there is no requirement to send it to the previous Texas school. This loophole allows a player who has transferred for athletic reasons to go unnoticed.

Another approach involves coaches actively recruiting players from other teams. When a team or coach has a strong winning record, it becomes easier to persuade athletes from other districts to transfer for athletic opportunities. Unfortunately, this often leads to parents fabricating information on official documents to make their child appear eligible, further undermining the integrity of high school sports. Camps, and 7-on-7 Leagues have given coaches access to players throughout the state, and not just in their own community. This allows coaches easy access to parents to have these conversations away from the schoolhouse. If a school has been able to achieve winning results by using these methods over the years, it can be overlooked or seen as the norm for academic liaisons, counselors, etc., to do the dirty paperwork and keep the coaches hands clean.

What lessons does an athlete learn by competing this way? They learn that when they disagree with a coach’s decisions or methods, they can simply transfer to another district, avoiding the challenge of resolving conflicts or persevering through difficulties. These behaviors rarely go unnoticed among teams, sending a clear message: if coaches disregard the rules, why should players feel compelled to follow them? This mindset extends to parents and students, who often act as though the rules don’t apply to them. These distorted values and behaviors not only harm the integrity of sports but also instill life lessons that are detrimental to society as a whole.

How can a coach succeed legally amidst the pressures of society? Success starts with integrity, discipline, and a clear focus on building a culture of excellence that prioritizes the development of athletes. Coaches must emphasize long-term growth over quick wins, fostering strong fundamentals, teamwork, and accountability in their players. Transparent communication with athletes, parents, and the community about the program’s values and goals helps align expectations and build trust. Parent, administrator, staff support is integral to the success of this program.

School administration also plays a crucial role in supporting the development of a program. They can prioritize the program’s growth not only for its competitive success but for the betterment of the athletes’ lives. When the focus centers on character-building, sportsmanship, and education, both the program and its athletes can flourish, fostering lifelong success and meaningful impact. It is imperative that the administration of feeder campuses recognizes and supports the need for vertical alignment. In an athletic setting, program growth through a vertical alignment approach is just as vital as it is in an academic setting. This alignment ensures continuity, development, and success at all levels.

There are legal ways to “recruit” players. Strong communities create growth and that growth attracts parents and students to move legally to the community. Forming partnerships with community youth programs creates a seamless transition to the high school level. Coaches from these programs play an integral role in fostering a sense of pride within the community and encouraging athletes as they advance to middle and high school. In our community, youth coaches continue to support athletes when they reach the next level. As a coach, I see them attending signing days and showing up at games. Their involvement is crucial to the development of our program. This creates a base for a program that is built upon integrity and discipline. Transparency is key when building a successful program. Parents need to see that winning is just as important to you as it is to them, but so is upholding a program that values integrity and strong moral principles. When parents are on your side and actively engaged in the community, it creates a supportive environment where students can thrive both on and off the field. Parents are also key to promoting your program. They are the ones actively engaging with other parents throughout the community and beyond that can persuade others to move to your school district. Showcasing the success of your program, your athletes, your coaches on social media is another way to cultivate growth in your community. All of these “recruitment” techniques do not require side conversations, or illegal paperwork. They are simply a way to build a strong, long term program that aligns with the rules set forth by the UIL.

By following the rules, you not only maintain your own high standards but also set an example that raises the standards of society as a whole. A program built on transparency, ethics, and collaboration fosters stronger athletes and individuals who are better prepared to succeed in life, creating a lasting impact far beyond the scoreboard. Having integrity means choosing courage over comfort, doing what’s right instead of what’s easy, and living by your values instead of just talking about them. Doing the right thing isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. As a coach, it is up to you to decide what type of program you run and how you want those wins to look.

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