Shockwaves in College Football: What Nick Saban’s Latest Job Announcement Means for the Game’s Future

Nick Saban stepping back into the college sports limelight so soon after retiring? Now that’s a plot twist nobody saw coming. Sure, he’s been the calm, insightful voice on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” but now the legendary Alabama coach is gearing up for a whole new kind of playbook—co-chairing a Presidential Commission on college sports handpicked by none other than President Trump. With the game fundamentally altered by Name, Image, and Likeness deals and that ever-growing debate over regulation, Saban’s involvement raises an eyebrow or two. Is this the savior college football needs, or is it a power play wrapped in crimson and white? Either way, it’s bound to shake things up. Curious how the man who built a dynasty plans to “fix” the sport — and who might be cheering or jeering from the sidelines? Let’s dive in. LEARN MORE.

Nick Saban is back working in college sports.

The legendary Alabama Crimson Tide head coach, who retired from coaching following the 2023 season, has been working for ESPN’s “College GameDay.” But now he has another notable gig, this one coming from President Trump.

President Trump is putting together a Presidential Commission to study the state of college sports. There’s been a lot of changes in college sports in recent years, thanks to Name, Image and Likeness. Many figures both in and out of the college sports world feel that more regulation is needed.

The committee put together by Trump will be led by Saban, according to The Athletic.

Saban is expected to be a co-chair of the commission.

“Nick Saban is expected to co-chair the Presidential Commission on college sports, along with a ‘prominent businessman with deep ties to college athletics,’ a source told The Athletic,” Chris Vannini tweeted on Wednesday night.

It’ll be interesting to see what kind of impact the committee has on college sports.

Some fans see it as hypocritical that Saban is getting back involved in college sports so quickly after retiring.

“For someone who walked away complaining you sure want your nose all up in everything,” one fan wrote.

“The University of Alabama really staged a whole event to gain favor with POTUS to garner control of a president sanctioned body meant to regulate college sports. Nasty nasty work,” one fan added.

Others, meanwhile, believe that Saban is the perfect man for the job.

“He’s going to save college football,” one fan added.

Some, though, feel that Saban will not have the best interests of all college football programs in mind, considering he led one of the biggest superpowers in history.

“I don’t think the most dominant coach at one of the sport’s super powers will actually do what’s best for the sport overall,” one fan added.

One thing is clear, though: Saban is going to do what he can to “fix” college sports, at least when it comes to what he believes needs fixing.