Nick Saban is anticipated to co-chair the commission on college football under the Trump administration.

When Nick Saban retired from coaching in early 2024, many assumed he would quietly ride into the sunset, content with his legacy as one of college football’s greatest leaders. But Saban has never been one to sit on the sidelines. In a striking new development, the iconic coach is expected to co-chair a federal commission on the future of college football—an initiative championed by former President Donald Trump. This move has the potential to reshape the landscape of collegiate athletics.

The commission aims to tackle pressing issues like the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era, the transfer portal’s chaos, and the lack of consistent governance across college sports. Saban’s appointment as co-chair signals a serious push toward regulatory reform, and his deep understanding of the sport could bring much-needed clarity to a system that many believe is spiraling out of control.

Since retiring, Saban has served as a studio analyst for ESPN’s College GameDay, providing sharp insights and commentary. But behind the scenes, he’s remained deeply invested in college football’s future. Speaking at multiple public events, Saban warned that the current NIL and transfer models threaten to undermine the sport’s integrity.

“If we don’t get our arms around this, college football as we know it is going to change forever—and not for the better,” he said during a panel earlier this year.

It’s precisely this concern that has propelled Saban into his next role. According to sources familiar with the commission’s development, Saban will serve alongside Cody Campbell, a Texas Tech booster and oil executive known for supporting NIL collectives. The duo will help steer the Trump-backed advisory group, which is expected to include former athletes, legal experts, university leaders, and policymakers.

While Trump’s involvement is controversial, the idea of a federal push to regulate college football is not new. Over the past two years, several congressional hearings have addressed the NIL dilemma, and multiple bills have been proposed to provide uniform national guidelines.

Trump’s strategy appears to be part political, part personal. A known sports enthusiast, Trump sees college football as a cultural touchstone—and perhaps a tool to regain favor with certain voter blocs. In that context, appointing Saban, a respected figure across party lines, is a strategic masterstroke.

Notably, Trump and Saban share some common ground. Both are known for their commanding leadership styles, affinity for loyalty, and deep belief in American tradition. But they differ in rhetoric and approach, which may create interesting dynamics as the commission begins its work.

Saban has not shied away from expressing his frustrations with the NIL landscape.

“I’m all for players being compensated,” he said in a February interview. “But we’ve moved from a model of development and education to one of bidding wars and instant gratification. That’s not sustainable.”

Saban’s concerns boil down to structure. He’s advocated for uniform contracts, federal oversight, and a separation of collective bargaining from the recruiting process. In his eyes, the system should reward performance and development, not market value alone.

He has also voiced opposition to the ease with which players transfer. “We’ve turned college football into free agency without contracts,” he said bluntly. “Where’s the accountability?”

As co-chair, Saban is expected to push for federal legislation that enforces transparency, limits inducements during recruiting, and provides schools with the authority to create enforceable NIL guidelines without fear of lawsuits.

Campbell, Saban’s co-chair, brings a unique perspective. He’s one of the most influential NIL funders in the country and has helped establish Texas Tech’s athlete compensation structure through the Matador Club collective.

While Saban and Campbell may initially appear at odds—one seeking tighter regulation, the other operating within the booster-driven NIL model—they reportedly agree on a central point: the system is broken and needs reform to survive.

Sources close to the commission say Campbell will focus on the economic realities of NIL, ensuring that any legislation protects donor engagement while setting reasonable boundaries. Together, he and Saban offer a balanced front—coaching and commerce in alliance.

The announcement of the Trump-initiated commission with Saban at the helm has sparked a firestorm of opinions from across the collegiate landscape.

Many coaches and administrators see Saban’s involvement as a positive sign.

“Nick’s voice carries weight like no one else in this sport,” said Penn State coach James Franklin. “If anyone can navigate these waters and help bring consensus, it’s him.”

Dabo Swinney of Clemson echoed similar sentiments. “We’ve all been talking about the need for structure. Coach Saban stepping up at this level is exactly what we need.”

However, not everyone is convinced.

Steve Berman, an attorney representing athletes in a high-profile class-action lawsuit against the NCAA, criticized the move.

“Why are we suddenly involving the federal government and a former president in regulating college football? This is about power, not fairness,” Berman told reporters.

Some athlete advocates also worry that the commission will skew toward institutional interests over student rights. “There’s a real concern that this becomes about control and not progress,” said Taylor James, director of the Student Athlete Equity Council.

In Texas, Florida, and parts of California—regions with strong NIL collectives—some university supporters are concerned that federal involvement could stifle innovation and hurt recruiting.

“We’ve finally found a way to compete, and now the goalposts are moving again,” said one anonymous Texas A&M donor.

The commission is expected to begin formal meetings this summer, with preliminary recommendations to be delivered to Congress and the NCAA by early 2026. Among the initial proposals reportedly under discussion:

• Standardized NIL Contracts: Every NIL deal would have to be filed with a central registry, outlining duration, services rendered, and payment structure.
• Transfer Portal Calendar: Transfer windows would be limited to two periods per year, and athletes would need to meet academic thresholds to be eligible.
• Minimum Eligibility Standards: Athletes signing NIL deals above a certain value may be subject to professional-like eligibility guidelines, including GPA and enrollment benchmarks.
• Independent Oversight Board: A body unaffiliated with the NCAA would review NIL deals and transfer appeals, helping to resolve disputes and enforce compliance.

Saban has hinted that he supports many of these ideas. “We need a structure that works for everyone—players, coaches, schools, and fans,” he said in April. “If we get that right, the game will be better than ever.”

For Nick Saban, this new chapter could prove as impactful as his coaching career. With 7 national championships, dozens of NFL players mentored, and a reputation as a program builder, Saban already owns a historic legacy. But helping to guide the next era of college football governance would cement his place not just as a coach—but as a visionary leader of the sport.

The task ahead is massive, fraught with political minefields and legal complexities. Yet if Saban’s career has shown anything, it’s that he thrives under pressure, especially when the future of the game is at stake.

Nick Saban’s decision to co-chair a college football commission under Donald Trump is a defining moment in the modern evolution of collegiate athletics. Whether this partnership will produce lasting reform remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: college football is headed toward a new era, and Nick Saban isn’t done shaping it.