North Texas Coaches Voice Concerns Over Proposed High School Athletic Transfer Bill

In Fort Worth, North Texas, high school coaches are raising their voices against a proposed bill that could change the rules for student-athlete transfers. Currently, when a student athlete transfers schools for athletic reasons, they must sit out a year from varsity sports. The new bill, introduced by Representative Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, aims to allow students to transfer once during their high school careers without a waiting period, provided both the new school and the student’s parents approve in writing.

Many coaches worry this change could lead to an influx of recruiting chaos similar to what we see in college sports. Chris James, the football coach at Arlington Sam Houston, commented, “I think it’s going to become the wild, wild West.” His concerns echo those of Joseph Sam, the coach at Arlington Bowie, who said, “To me, I feel like you’re opening up Pandora’s box.” Coaches like Brian Blackburn from Aledo see this proposed shift as a drastic change from the current system that keeps athletes playing at their designated schools.

The bill’s author emphasizes that students already transfer for academic reasons, so why not allow the same for athletics? Gervin-Hawkins wants to ensure that parents have a say in where their children play sports, highlighting the potential benefits of such a decision. She believes that allowing transfers could give student athletes better chances for scholarships and college opportunities.

However, coaches remain skeptical. They anticipate that allowing transfers could lead to uncontrolled recruiting by individuals outside the school system, likening it to the college transfer portal. “You’re going to have a lot of people—so-called ‘street agents’—go around and find kids and pluck kids,” James stated.

Some coaches, however, see both the pros and cons. North Crowley girls basketball coach Lori Shead mentioned that while the changes might benefit overlooked athletes, they could also lead to the formation of “super teams,” hurting the competitive balance in high school sports. The unintended consequences of such a rule change are still a matter of debate, with different coaches offering varying perspectives.

As the discussion continues, Gervin-Hawkins maintains that limiting transfers to a single occurrence during a student’s high school years could help prevent frequent school changes. Yet, coaches like Sam are wary, predicting that students might want to return to their original schools after being recruited, leading to further complications.

The discussions surrounding this legislation are ongoing, with coaches asking for fair treatment of student athletes and the integrity of high school sports to be considered. As lawmakers return to Austin for the next legislative session, the future of this bill remains uncertain.