College football’s chaotic calendar debate heats up as Pat Chun and Ross Bjork push for post-house overhaul

College football’s leaders are in a race against time. With the House settlement set to activate on July 1, administrators must finalize a new football calendar to accommodate athlete revenue sharing.

The current system, built for the amateur era, no longer suits the evolving professionalized environment. Washington athletic director Pat Chun emphasized the urgency of acting now, stating that programs will begin planning for 2026 starting next month.

Transfer portal timing divides SEC and Big Ten coaches

The most divisive question is when to open the one permitted transfer portal window. SEC coaches, including Georgia’s Kirby Smart and LSU’s Brian Kelly, are pushing for a January window.

They want rosters set before spring practices begin, arguing that a spring window would lead to losing up to a third of their roster after months of development.

Spring and summer football practices could be reshaped

The battle over portal timing also threatens to upend spring football as we know it. Administrators are considering a shift in practice scheduling, allowing teams to spread out their spring drills into the summer. This would give coaches more flexibility and reduce the disruption of late-spring transfers.

New signing day date tied to financial logistics

Another major change under discussion is a revamp of National Signing Day. The December and February dates no longer fit with financial planning under a salary cap model. With official visits now taking place earlier in the year, administrators want signing to occur in August or even June, immediately following high school seniors' campus visits.Also Read: Former college footballer Kirk Herbstreit responds with class after fan questions his love for dogsAs Pat Chun emphasized, the goal is to design a calendar that rewards students for maintaining continuity and academic success. In the coming weeks, the working group of athletic directors and football administrators must present their vision. The countdown to July 1 has begun, and with it, the future of college football hangs in the balance.