Former Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban is one of the most prominent analysts on national television as part of ESPN’s “College GameDay” crew. Saban took the role after unexpectedly retiring from his storied coaching career in Jan. 2024 on the back of the NIL and the freer transfer portal era colliding.
Since his retirement, Saban has been constantly linked with the hypothetical role of college football commissioner to bring order to the current landscape of the game that has been plagued by lawsuits as the industry has become semi-professionalized.
Nick Saban Included in Exclusive Roundtable
On Friday, Yahoo Sports reporter Ross Dellenger revealed on X that the former Alabama Crimson Tide coach had been invited to an exclusive roundtable chaired by President Trump at the White House on Mar. 6.
“Seeking solutions for college sports, Donald Trump is convening a presidential roundtable at the White House next week, sources tell @YahooSports. Invitees include Nick Saban, billionaires like David Blitzer, the NBA commissioner & stars like Tiger Woods,” Dellenger tweeted.
According to Dellenger, the four Power Four conference commissioners, NBA commissioner Adam Silver, and celebrity sportsmen like Tiger Woods and former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow were among the invitees to the event that has been dubbed the ‘Saving College Sports Roundtable.’
Johnny Manziel Makes Unique Saban Demand
During a Feb. 19 segment of the “Glory Daze” podcast, former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel called for Saban to be appointed as the college football commissioner to bring order to the sport.
“We need a Nick Saban,” Manziel said. “We need somebody who knows the ins and outs of what’s going on. To be a commissioner, to be a leader. The leadership board is perhaps the single biggest thing plaguing the sport. There doesn’t seem to be any solution other than put this thing in the court, tie it up in individual states, bring it to the Supreme Court.
“Somebody needs to change the landscape of what’s going on. Shady agents and people that are not qualified to be athletic agents advising the next wave of kids. And while they’re doing that, they’re also taking 15-30% and advising kids to run and chase the next bag. It’s doing a disservice to the next generation of athletes.”
Last year, Saban and Texas Tech booster Cody Campbell were tapped to head a presidential commission on college sports, but the plans were later shelved. Earlier this month, President Trump played a round of golf with Saban, former Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, where the matter was once again discussed.
