BOWLING GREEN — On Monday I broke the news that should have surprised no one: James Morgan has asked to leave the Bowling Green State University football program.

I have to admit that the news surprised me.

No, not the part where Morgan decided to transfer. He had watched true freshman Jarret Doege take over as the BG starter along with the rest of us. He saw Doege show a solid understanding of the offense and accuracy throwing the ball, two keys to success for any quarterback in any offense, and decided he wanted to go to another school where he would be able to earn more playing time.

The part that surprised me was that there was football news from BG so close to the end of the season. I know Falcons fans want to know about transfers and coaching moves ... but less than a week after the season is not when these moves normally are made.

And that’s especially true now that an “early” signing period for football has been established. In the past, programs around the country have been reticent to announce assistant coaching departures until after the signing period. And that’s everywhere, not just at BG; the idea is that programs do not want to have an assistant courting a player from a particular area, then suddenly leave — it may leave the recruit in the dark, prompting a switch to another school.

As for players, their window to transfer normally opens at semester’s end, when grades have been posted and their academic standing has been determined.

And finally, to answer this question for the gazillionth time: Bowling Green is not firing Mike Jinks this week, this month, or next month.

So I expected no news and was a little bit surprised when there was some. But I expect little other news in the immediate future.

Contact John Wagner at jwagner@theblade.com, 419-724-6481, or on Twitter @jwagnerblade.

First Published November 28, 2017, 3:00 p.m.