According to sources, Nick Saban, the former head coach of Alabama, would co-chair the panel on college sports.

Nick Saban may have stepped away from the sidelines, but he’s not stepping away from the sport he helped redefine. According to sources close to the matter, the former Alabama head coach is set to co-chair a high-powered panel on college sports reform—a move that signals his continued influence in shaping the game beyond the gridiron.

Nick Saban’s retirement in early 2024 stunned the college football world. After 17 seasons at the helm of the Alabama Crimson Tide, seven national championships, and an unmatched legacy of excellence, many wondered what would come next for the coaching titan. It didn’t take long to get an answer.

According to multiple sources familiar with the discussions, Saban has agreed to co-chair a newly formed national panel focused on reshaping the future of college athletics. While the panel has not yet been officially announced, it is expected to include current and former university administrators, NCAA officials, conference commissioners, and legal experts. Its goals? Establish a cohesive national framework for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy, address player compensation and transfer portal concerns, and set guidelines for competitive balance across collegiate sports.

Saban, known for his deep commitment to education, student-athlete development, and program structure, is reportedly eager to bring clarity and fairness to a system that many feel has spiraled into chaos.

Saban’s transition from coach to thought leader was always a question of when—not if. Over the years, he has not only built dynasties but also spoken with increasing urgency about the threats to the foundation of college athletics.

In a 2023 interview, he famously said, “If we don’t get some kind of national standard, we’re going to lose the essence of what makes college sports special.” Those remarks echoed across the NCAA and congressional hearings alike.

Sources say it was those very concerns that led several high-ranking NCAA officials and power-conference commissioners to approach Saban about a leadership role. His credibility across both college and professional football, combined with his disciplined, no-nonsense style, made him the ideal figurehead for what is expected to be a transformational movement.

According to documents obtained by insiders, the panel will be known as the National Council on Collegiate Athletics (NCCA) and will operate under the umbrella of a new bipartisan initiative supported by lawmakers, education leaders, and sports executives. The initiative will be funded through a blend of private donors and federal education grants, with the goal of presenting a comprehensive policy framework by mid-2026.

Saban will reportedly co-chair the NCCA alongside Dr. Christina Johnson, the former president of Ohio State University and a prominent advocate for college athlete protections. Together, the two leaders represent a blend of athletic rigor and academic integrity—symbolizing the dual mission of the collegiate sports model.

The panel is expected to:

• Recommend national NIL legislation to replace the patchwork of state laws currently in place.
• Propose transfer portal reforms, including potential windows and eligibility restrictions.
• Review scholarship structures and roster caps.
• Explore revenue-sharing models that allow universities to compensate athletes fairly while preserving the amateur model.
• Advise on mental health, education, and post-athletic career support for student-athletes.

While Saban has always adapted to the times—whether embracing RPO offenses or mastering the transfer portal—he has never been shy about his discomfort with the direction of modern college athletics.

Privately, sources say Saban sees his role on the panel as a way to bring “order, discipline, and sustainability” back to college sports. He is said to be particularly concerned about the rapid commodification of athletes and the lack of educational focus in major programs.

“He’s not anti-player,” one source close to Saban said. “He’s pro-student-athlete. He wants to see athletes get paid, yes—but he also wants to make sure they’re not being exploited or thrown aside once the lights go out.”

Indeed, Saban’s own programs were known for their ‘Process’—a holistic philosophy of personal growth, accountability, and preparation. That mindset, sources believe, will be central to the values he’ll advocate for on the panel.

The news of Saban’s involvement has been met with cautious optimism from across the college sports landscape.

Greg Sankey, the SEC commissioner, declined to comment directly on the appointment but said in a recent press conference, “We need smart, experienced people at the table. People who understand the game, the system, and the stakes.”

Coaches like Dabo Swinney, Lincoln Riley, and Deion Sanders have also expressed support—both publicly and behind the scenes—for a national reform effort led by someone with Saban’s pedigree.

In a tweet, Swinney wrote:
“Coach Saban has always been a voice of reason. If anyone can help us find a way forward, it’s him.”

Saban’s role isn’t just symbolic—it’s also political. The panel is expected to work closely with members of Congress to draft and promote legislation that will preempt conflicting state NIL laws. Lawmakers like Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), himself a former coach, and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), a former Stanford tight end, have championed federal oversight for years.

Saban’s gravitas and bipartisan respect could be the catalyst needed to finally break through the legislative gridlock.

“It’s one thing to have a politician talk about college sports,” one political strategist said. “It’s another to have Nick Saban walk into your office and explain exactly what’s at stake.”

The formation of the panel comes at a critical time for college sports. The NCAA is facing multiple lawsuits, including those challenging the NCAA’s amateurism model and its ability to restrict athlete compensation.

At the same time, the transfer portal has created a de facto free agency, with players moving from school to school based on immediate playing time and NIL opportunities. Critics argue that this system undermines team culture, academic continuity, and competitive balance.

Saban warned about these very trends for years. Now, he will have a formal platform to influence policy, backed by a coalition of stakeholders determined to bring coherence to the chaos.

Saban’s involvement gives the panel instant credibility—and raises the stakes. The days of slow-moving NCAA subcommittees may be over. With Saban and Dr. Johnson leading the charge, there is a clear mandate for action.

For fans, this could mean more predictable schedules, more transparent NIL deals, and a return to rivalries built on continuity rather than roster turnover.

For athletes, it could lead to greater protections, enhanced academic incentives, and a clearer path to both the pros and a post-sports career.

For coaches and programs, it may restore a sense of balance between development and recruitment—and reduce the sense of constant upheaval.

If successful, Saban’s work on the panel could become one of the most important chapters of his storied career.

Winning games is one thing. Reforming an entire system—while maintaining the values of competition, education, and character—is something else entirely. Yet, for those who’ve followed Saban’s career, it’s not surprising.

“Coach always said his job was to make players better men, not just better players,” said former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy. “Now he’s trying to do that on a national scale.”

Nick Saban is no longer stalking the sidelines at Bryant-Denny Stadium, but in many ways, his influence has never been greater. By agreeing to co-chair this panel, he’s taking on what might be his most consequential mission yet: protecting the integrity of college sports for generations to come.