Dick Vitale: An NCAA One-Time Transfer Rule Would Be ‘Total Chaos’

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former NBA and college basketball head coach Dick Vitale told Thurl Bailey that if the NCAA implements a one-time transfer rule it would cause “total chaos” in college athletics.

Vitale, who is now a college basketball analyst and commentator for ESPN, joined Bailey on a recent episode of the Thurl Talk Podcast to discuss college hoops and the potential rule change.

“Well, I can tell you very simply why it’s not good for the game. Total chaos.” Vitale told Bailey about a what a one-time transfer rule would do to college athletics. “Last year there was about 1,015 people that applied for transfer portal. This year, there’s more than that already. If you put that rule in, when you can certainly transfer anytime you want, go where you want, and be eligible immediately, that’s gonna double over 2,000.”

Hall of Famer and ESPN Commentator @DickieV stopped by today for some Thurl Talk! #KSL #ESPN https://t.co/1fSEz0pFBU pic.twitter.com/JzhmBKhWhl

— Thurl Bailey (@bigTbailey) April 29, 2020

Vitale told Bailey that many people counter that argument by saying coaches aren’t restricted in leaving like players are. He said those comparisons aren’t “apple to apples.”

“People say well… if a coach can leave and he’s eligible to coach immediately why shouldn’t a player? Well, there’s a difference there. A major difference,” Vitale continued. “You’re talking 50-55 coaches per year. So it’s not apples to apples. It’ll be over 1,000. It’ll be over 2,000.”

The former coach highlighted his opinion that a one-time transfer rule would allow power conference to “raid” players from mid-major schools.

“You’d better believe that somehow, someway, Michigan or Michigan State or somebody’s gonna get the word out to them [mid-major players]. ‘Hey, if you want to make that move, you’re eligible right away. We’d love to have you'” continued Vitale, “They’re gonna be raiding.”

This was truly a fun time with @bigTbailey @espnVshow @espnmikes @ItsAnnaNegron @TheVFoundation https://t.co/ATSwWScR0t

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) April 29, 2020

Vitale told Bailey that he’s spoken with a number of college basketball’s top coaches and they agree with him that chaos would ensue if the transfer rule were to be implemented.

“They know it’s going to create unbelievable chaos,” said Vitale.

Vitale said the simple solution to college transfer would be to allow players to transfer if their current coach leaves for a new job and grant those players immediate eligibility at their new school.

As far as the one-time transfer rule, Vitale said, “It’s just not healthy for the game.”

The NCAA is expected to vote on the subject on May 20.

Former Utah Jazz and NBA player Thurl Bailey is the host of the Thurl Talk Podcast. After more than a decade playing in the NBA as Big T for the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves, Thurl has seen a thing or two. And he still has things he wants to learn. He’s a musician, father, husband, and friend and he’s interested in talking with people. That’s what he’ll do each week on Thurl Talk: share his own life experiences and learn from the stories of others. Whether it’s about his life on the court, behind a mic or sitting at the kitchen counter, count on getting to know the real Thurl Bailey and maybe learn a little something from his friends.