Legendary college football head coach Nick Saban praised President Donald Trump during a recent appearance on Fox News.
Saban, who retired following the 2023 college football season, has developed a close relationship with President Trump. He's played golf with the President of the United States in Florida. He's welcomed the President of the United States to games at Alabama.
Now, the hall of Fame coach is praising the President of the United States for his work in college sports.
Saban's comments come in the wake of President Trump signing an executive order that limits NCAA student-athletes to five years of eligibility and one transfer before graduating without having to sit out for a season. The order also issued a ban on improper payments and protections for women’s and Olympic sports.
“I want to thank the President for showing leadership and a creating a roundtable, which consisted of college presidents, commissioners, athletic directors, coaches, to gather information as to what might help create some regulation that would help us long-term,” Saban said. “(To) be able to manage and fund all sports so that we can continue to create opportunities for young people.”
Saban also called out U.S. Congress
The legendary college football head coach thinks U.S. Congress needs to take action, as well.
“I think ultimately, we need Congress to have some kind of anti-trust legislation that keeps us from having litigation (which) actually rules college sports,” he said. “Which is how we got where we are right now.”
He thinks it's a non-partisan issue.
“People say it should be bipartisan,” Saban said. “I think it should be nonpartisan.
“I think the spirit and passion that we all have for college athletics is really important to the fabric of our country. It’s also beneficial to create many opportunities for young people who may not have an opportunity for college and improve the quality of their life.”
