Title: 73 Calls and Counting: An Alabama Coach’s Battle with the Transfer Portal
The buzzer had barely stopped echoing in Birmingham’s Legacy Arena when Coach Mark Reynolds’ phone vibrated for the 73rd time that day. He sighed, staring at the glowing screen—another player’s agent, another recruiter sniffing around his roster. It wasn’t just March Madness anymore. It was Portal Madness.
Two years ago, Reynolds built Alabama Northern into a mid-major powerhouse, taking them to back-to-back NCAA tournaments. Now, that success made his roster a prime target for poachers. Star forward Jalen Brooks had just dropped 28 points in their second-round win over Michigan State, and within hours, Reynolds heard whispers—big-name programs were making calls, offering NIL deals that dwarfed what his entire athletic department could muster.
Reynolds knew the game had changed. The transfer portal wasn’t just a tool for players seeking a better fit—it had become a free-agency frenzy. Schools with deep-pocketed boosters operated like talent scouts, using social media and “consultants” to slide offers into DMs before official contact was even allowed.
His assistant coach stormed in, shaking his head. “Kansas is after Jalen. They’re throwing six figures his way.”
Reynolds clenched his jaw. He couldn’t blame Jalen. The kid had worked for this moment. But it wasn’t just about him—it was about what the sport had become. Loyalty was now measured in dollars, not dedication.
That night, as he scrolled Twitter, he saw the inevitable: “Sources: Jalen Brooks expected to enter the transfer portal.”
No call. No warning. Just a tweet.
Seventy-three calls in one day. He knew tomorrow would bring more. And suddenly, March wasn’t just about winning anymore. It was about surviving.
