Nick Saban, the former coach of Alabama, is a candidate to co-chair President Donald Trump’s proposed commission on collegiate athletics. There is only one significant obstacle to overcome: Saban doesn’t appear to believe the commission is required.
Saban spoke with reporters Tuesday at his “Nick’s Kids” golf tournament and demurred on the idea of a commission, though he did not eliminate the possibility of helping in an advisory role.
“I know there’s been a lot of stuff out there about some commission or whatever.
I don’t think we need a commission,” Saban said, according to Bama247. “I’ve said that before. I think we need — we know what the issues are, we just have to have people who are willing to move those and solve those and create some solutions for some of those issues. I’m all for being a consultant to anybody who would think that my experience would be beneficial to helping create some of those solutions.”
Saban and Texas Tech chairman Cody Campbell, a former collegiate football player, are anticipated to co-chair the presidential commission, according to a May CBS Sports report. According to CBS Sports, Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville said that Saban and Campbell are “talking on the phone a lot.”
But Saban’s latest comments reflect a sentiment he expressed on May 16 while speaking with reporters at the Regions Tradition Pro-Am, and later that same day on the “Paul Finebaum Show.”
Though it does not have any stated goals as a result, Saban has been open regarding his concerns about name, image and likeness reform, the transfer portal and Olympic sports in the past.
“I am aware that President Trump has a strong passion for sports. During the “Nick’s Kids” event, Saban stated, “He’s really interested in collegiate athletics.” “He is committed to upholding the notion that individuals attend college in order to contribute to the future in terms of their personal growth, academic performance, graduation rate, and the establishment of fair and competitive competition. I would be more than delighted to serve as a consultant to anyone who could contribute to the future of collegiate athletics.