A new calendar on the horizon
Texas Tech football coach Joey McGuire is championing a sweeping overhaul of the college football calendar that could reshape how teams train and compete.
The proposal, championed by McGuire and backed by the Division I FBS Oversight Committee, would replace the traditional 25‑day preseason camp with a condensed 21‑practice schedule and introduce two distinct out‑of‑season practice windows.
Under the plan, spring workouts would be limited to 12 sessions, while June would feature eight NFL‑style organized team activities, mirroring the structure used by professional franchises.
The NCAA would also shorten the transfer‑portal window for FBS programs to just 10 days, beginning on the first business day after New Year’s Day, a move McGuire says would create greater stability for rosters.
If approved, the changes would not take effect until January 1, 2027, after a final vote by the oversight committee slated for August.
McGuire has been vocal about his support for the new model, citing the benefits of a shorter preseason and the ability to conduct more focused, high‑intensity workouts during the spring and summer months.
He also opposes any contact drills in July, arguing that players are already in peak condition from summer conditioning programs and that additional contact could increase injury risk.
The coach points to last season’s workout regimen at Texas Tech, which featured hour‑long sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays, combined with strength and conditioning work on other days, as evidence that a streamlined schedule can be effective.
If the committee’s recommendations are adopted, the new calendar could set a precedent for other conferences, potentially influencing high‑profile programs across the country.