As a college softball coach, I have reservations about the growing use of the transfer portal. By definition, a portal is an entrance—often large and imposing. For athletes, entering the portal in search of greener infield and outfield grass can sometimes feel like a fresh start, but it may also lead them into a trap.
In my business career, I was frequently involved in recruiting young professionals to our real estate team at JLL. Today, I work with graduate business students at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, helping them sharpen their interviewing skills. From both experiences, I’ve seen how decisions made in college can echo into the professional world. Athletes who transfer schools in pursuit of their athletic dreams might unintentionally be setting themselves up for challenges after graduation.
Let’s take a closer look at the top reasons players enter the transfer portal—and how potential employers might interpret this kind of movement.
“I’m not getting enough playing time.”
Employers won’t look favorably on athletes who blame coaches for their lack of playing time, rather than recognizing their own need for more talent or patience. As a coach, I tell my softball players: if you can hit, we’ll find a place for you in the lineup. If you can dominate in the circle, you will pitch. It’s that simple.
Whenever I see a player enter the transfer portal, I immediately look up their stats and watch any available game footage. Often, it’s not the coaches who are at fault—it’s that the player either lacks the skills to compete at that level or hasn’t worked hard enough to earn a spot in the lineup.
When hiring, I often prioritized former college athletes. In my experience, those who’ve been successful in sports tend to succeed in business and other professions as well. However, if I were to interview someone who was an average or underperforming athlete and transferred schools only to remain mediocre, I wouldn’t consider them a strong candidate.
One of my favorite softball players only had a handful of at-bats during her college career. Yet, she loved her school, respected her coaches, and fully supported her teammates. Despite not being among the top athletes on the team, she found meaningful ways to contribute to the program. She has since gone on to enjoy a successful career and family life—because she understood that being part of a collegiate athletic team is about more than just statistics. I would hire someone like her any day.
“I should be playing at a higher level.”
After years of playing travel softball in pursuit of the coveted Division I offer, reality eventually sets in. Only a small percentage of players reach the schools of their dreams. Many end up settling for a lower-tier Division I program or even a different level altogether.
For some athletes who don’t end up playing for a high level D1 program, the dream of competing at the highest level doesn’t fade. After one or two years, they believe their modest success will catch the attention of elite programs. They enter the transfer portal with confidence and high hopes—only to receive no offers. Current statistics show that 50% of these players never play softball again.
In the professional world, employers value individuals who aspire to move up within an organization—this drive reflects the spirit of the American Dream. However, many job seekers and employees overestimate their qualifications or competence. There’s no shame in excelling at the right level where your impact is strongest. In time, true performance speaks for itself, and advancement becomes both natural and deserved.
Even when athletes do succeed in transferring to a higher level, the experience doesn’t always meet expectations. Many struggle with the rigors of a D1 program or are not equipped for increased competition, leading to disappointment. Some enter the transfer portal again—a move that rarely leads to better outcomes and can be difficult to explain in a job interview down the line.
“I don’t like my coaches.”
From a coach’s perspective, players who are disgruntled with their coaches rarely take personal responsibility for the fractured relationship. In my experience, many of these players tend to blame their inferior performance on everything but themselves. Often, they are not coachable — meaning they resist instruction, feedback, or direction.
Of course, as in any profession, there are coaches who are unqualified and lack interpersonal or leadership skills. Some even foster toxic environments that become difficult, if not impossible, to endure. In such cases, the decision to transfer may be warranted. However, I believe players should carefully consider whether they have truly exhausted every option before making such a significant move.
Throughout my long business career, I was fortunate to collaborate with outstanding managers who were exceptional teachers, mentors, and leaders. But I also encountered poor managers whom I didn’t like or trust. Still, I loved my job, valued my colleagues, and believed in the company — so quitting over a bad supervisor would have been a mistake in the long run.
That’s why I struggle to understand why some student-athletes, who love their teammates and classmates, are enrolled in top academic programs, and attend respected institutions, choose to enter the transfer portal. It’s a decision that future employers may also find difficult to understand.
“I’m an elite player hoping to cash in on NIL opportunities.”
This is the most valid reason for entering the transfer portal. Why not take advantage of the compensation now available to softball players—even if it’s only a fraction of what athletes in football or basketball receive? With limited professional opportunities in softball after college, these athletes are simply trying to earn what they can before they graduate.
As an employer, I wouldn’t fault a top-tier athlete for transferring because their current school lacks the financial resources of more well-funded programs. However, I would be concerned if it suggested a pattern of making decisions solely based on money. That kind of mindset might carry over into the workplace, raising questions about long-term commitment.
College softball programs make significant investments in their athletes—through scholarships, training, and development. Coaches dedicate substantial time helping players reach a level where they have real NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) value. In many ways, this mirrors the business world, where companies invest in high-potential employees.
Athletes who focus only on financial gain may find that some employers are hesitant to invest in individuals who appear unappreciative or disloyal. A history of chasing money without regard for the relationships and support systems that helped enable success can be a red flag in both sports and business.
A Final Thought
At its best, the transfer portal can be a second chance—a path to opportunity, growth, and a better fit. But more often, it reveals a deeper issue: a growing tendency to avoid discomfort rather than confront it. In both athletics and business, resilience, humility, and long-term commitment often outshine raw talent or short-term gain.
When athletes make impulsive decisions to jump ship at the first sign of adversity, they miss the profound development that comes from staying the course. Learning to adapt, compete, and grow within challenging environments is what builds character—and character is ultimately what employers, coaches, and teammates value most.
The portal may offer an escape. But the real question is: what are you running from—and what are you running toward?
About Paul Petricca
In addition to writing this hitting blog, Paul is a hitting coach and the author of the book Hitting With Torque: For Baseball And Softball Hitters and his children’s book Going Going Gone!. He is also a public speaker and provides unique customer engagement training through his company Torque Consulting.