Rules on spring practices, summer activities would be replaced with new model, shorter preseason
The Division I Football Championship Subdivision Oversight Committee on Monday adopted a proposal to change the FCS calendar, giving schools more flexibility to meet the needs of coaches and student-athletes.
For the changes to go into effect Jan. 1, the Division I Cabinet must approve them at its meeting Oct. 6-7.
“The package of proposals approved by the FCSOC marks a major milestone in shaping the future of college football,” said Jean Gee, who is vice chair of the committee, chair of the FCS Calendar Subgroup, and the senior associate athletics director of student affairs and compliance at Montana. “Through the thoughtful and diligent work of our subgroup committee members, coupled with the invaluable collaboration with the American Football Coaches Association, we have developed a recruiting calendar that is responsive to the evolving needs of today’s FCS coaches, student-athletes and prospects.”
Bob Nielson, the director of divisional football at the AFCA, agreed cooperation played a major role in making the changes.
“The changes to the playing and practice season and recruiting model represent significant advancements for FCS football and are the result of strong collaboration between the FCS Oversight Committee, NCAA staff, the AFCA and student-athlete groups,” Nielson said. “Input from FCS football coaches was highly valued in these discussions and played an important role in shaping these new concepts. The resulting changes will expand development opportunities for current student-athletes and help to modernize the football recruiting process.”
The committee approved these changes:
Out-of-season activities.
The new out-of-season activities model would replace the current rules on spring practices and summer activities and allow FCS schools to conduct two out-of-season practice periods with a total of 21 on-field practices.
The two practice periods combined could not exceed seven weeks, and neither practice period could exceed five weeks.
Additionally, schools would have to designate a minimum of nine discretionary or voluntary weeks for student-athletes when required athletically related activities are not permitted.
The process of changing the football calendar was a collaborative effort between the committee and the American Football Coaches Association, which recommended changes in June 2025.
Joint practice with another four-year school.
FCS programs would be able to engage in a joint practice with another four-year school during the spring academic term.
Modified preseason practice period — effective for the 2027 season.
The preseason practice period would consist of 27 calendar days to conduct 21 practices.
In making the change, the oversight committee noted that additional practice opportunities would be available during the spring and summer under the new out-of-season activities model, which warranted a four-day reduction in the length of the preseason practice period and a reduction in the number of practices from 25 to 21.
“The proposed playing and practice model will create a more effective framework for player development while enhancing the overall student-athlete experience,” Gee said. “These reforms reflect a deliberate, collaborative effort to strengthen the game and position college football for continued growth and success.”
Notification-of-transfer period.
The notification-of-transfer period in January would change from a 15-day period to 10 days beginning the first business day following Jan. 1.
Off-campus recruiting.
Adjustments would be made to the FCS recruiting model to provide schools autonomy to determine recruiting philosophies and practices through a recruiting person days model.
In addition, the recommendation would permit up to 16 institutional staff members and the head coach (17 total) to recruit off campus and change the fall evaluation period to a contact period.
Rules process
The committee approved modifying how the rules process will work for the 2026-27 academic year.
The change formalizes the process to provide transparency to all involved, including deadlines for rules recommendation submissions, as well as a calendar that provides notice to stakeholders about when and how to be engaged in the process.
