Kenny Dillingham, the coach at Arizona State, has taken a unique stance regarding the transfer portal and the College Football Playoff. He believes in giving his players the freedom to make decisions while also ensuring their best interests are served.

"Dillingham's Strategy: Balancing Playoff and Portal for Arizona State Players"

Player Autonomy and Postseason Inclusion

Kenny Dillingham is not trying to dissuade Arizona State players from entering the transfer portal before the College Football Playoff. As the portal opened on Monday, he made it clear that any player who decides to do so is still welcome to compete with the Sun Devils during this postseason. Players have until December 28th to enter the portal, and teams still in the postseason get an additional five days after their seasons end. Many ASU players initially planned to enter the portal later, but Dillingham encouraged them to do it now to maximize their opportunities. "Our guys have the chance to stay on our football team, and they think, 'We'll go in (the portal) at the end,' but that's not fair to them. I want them to have the best chance to find a spot. They can enter on the first day now, and we'll help them find a place. They can also stay on our football team if they want and continue this journey together," he said.Arizona State has a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff after winning the Big 12 Championship and won't play their first game until January 1st. Dillingham was concerned that if his players waited until after the season, many schools would fill up their transfer spots. By allowing his players to enter the portal now and still finish the postseason, both the players and the team benefit.

Encouraging Player Responsibility

Dillingham emphasized to the players that they can stay on the team as long as they fulfill their responsibilities. "Go to meetings, show up, be five minutes early, check in, weigh in, and go to workouts. Even if you enter the portal here, it doesn't affect me. We're on the same page, and we're trying to help you achieve your career goals," he said. This approach shows his commitment to the players and their development.Last season, Dillingham made heavy use of the transfer portal, bringing in 29 players. However, the Sun Devils also saw 28 players leave the program. With the team's success in his second season, it's unclear what the transfer numbers will be this year.In conclusion, Kenny Dillingham's approach to the transfer portal and the College Football Playoff is a balanced one that considers the needs and aspirations of his players while also aiming for the team's success. His communication and support have created a positive environment for the players, and it will be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming weeks.