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Nick Saban reiterates feelings on presidential commission, offers suport as ‘consultant’
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban is not changing his thoughts on the presidential commission. However, he is still offering to help, though it remains to be seen what kind of role he envisions for himself.
Initial reports on the commission indicated that Saban was going to be the co-chair of the commission to be launched by President Donald Trump. However, Saban’s first public comments about the matter created a stir last week when he claimed a commission was not needed.
“First of all, I don’t know a lot about the commission,” Saban said. “Secondly, I’m not sure we really need a commission. I think a lot of people know exactly what the issues are in college football and know exactly what we need to do to fix them.”
A later report indicated Saban had a “productive” meeting with Cody Campbell, a Texas Tech chairman expected to lead the commission. That report also indicated Saban would continue to be involved in the commission as it develops, but the former head coach commented on his potential role on Tuesday.
During a charity golf tournament in Birmingham, Saban reiterated that it’s evident what needs to happen in college athletics and questioned the need for a commission. However, he offered his role as a consultant to the process.
“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,” said Saban. He followed that up by again referencing his role as a potential consultant to “anyone who might be able to help the future of college athletics.”
What will that look like within the commission? That remains to be seen, but Saban has been very clear about his thoughts on the overall nature of the group.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
