Y’all are missing the point. I’m not blaming Ole Miss or Kiffin.
I’m blaming the NCAA for allowing the timing of this. Considering the position of the teams and fans, it’s best for coaches to be required to finish out a season unless they’re fired.
The best version of the team should be playing in the playoffs. Hard to say that’s the case when losing a HC. I think the reason behind this timing is because of the portal window, which is a different issue in itself.
For the NFL, it’s hard to say the best version of the team is playing when your coordinators are preparing for Interviews during the playoff run.
I agree with you that the NCAA brings this on themselves and there isn't an easy fix because of what you illuded to - the transfer portal. It seemingly never closes.
NCAA CFB does a great job of hurting its own product while simultaneously trying to make it better.(Other sports do this too!) The portal and 24/7 recruiting is great for 95% of the schools that use it, HOWEVER when its also the reason a playoff team loses their head coach then its kind of working against itself. You can't have a great product with coaches leaving early, players sitting out ETC.
Honestly the SEC (and others) probably just need to break away from the NCAA at some point and do their own thing, but thats a separate discussion.