Nick Saban may be the next U.S. senator from the great state of Alabama. That is if he can be convinced to get into politics. The future Hall of Fame coach has said on multiple occasions in the past that he has no interest in running for office, but he also wouldn’t be the first person to ever deny interest before making a run and eventually getting elected.
The list of athlete turned politicians is a long list. The most well-known may be Gerald Ford, who played football for Michigan before later becoming President of the United States. Current politicians who were former athletes include Jim Jordan, Burgess Owens, Jim Schwantz, Tommy Tuberville, Franke White, and Dwayne Woodruff.
For former athletes and coaches, they already have a huge advantage. Rather than having to work their way up the political ladder to gain a following and become a known name, they are already known, and vastly popular. Many people don’t care much for their platform, they feel a connection with them in a way they don’t feel with any other politician.
But could Nick Saban actually serve in the US Senate? The answer may surprise you.
Nick Saban’s Political Leanings
Nick Saban has been listed as a moderate Democrat. In a state that is pretty solidly red, this is a dream come true for any democratic strategist trying to have a chance at getting a Senate seat. John Ray, a polling director for YouGov Blue said the following:
“Nick Saban looks like an extremely valuable recruit that Democrats should be considering carefully in this race…I base that on the clear signs of his strong personal constituency and on his relatively strong performance compared to others who Democrats might be considering.”
Nick Saban has not been very local about politics in the past. However, he has been seen participating in marches with players during the Black Lives Matter protests back in 2020. He has also supported West Virginia Democratic senator Joe Manchin and asked him to pass a law dealing with voting rights protections.
Nick Saban vs Tommy Tuberville
Interestingly, one of the current Alabama Senators is also an all-time great coach, Tommy Tuberville. In a theoretical matchup between Tuberville and Saban, Saban actually leads the former Auburn coach with a 42 to 39 margin, with a 4.9 percent margin or error, essentially making this a tie leaning in Nick Saban’s way. The survey was given to more than 500 Alabama voters in the first two weeks of February.
While a 50/50 shot may not sound great for many strategists trying to get a candidate, in Alabama, this is a great opportunity. For some perspective, Tubberville beats a ‘generic democrat’ 49-31 and former Senator Doug Jones 52-27.
In other words, Nick Saban is the best, and perhaps any shot that Democrats would have to gain a new seat in the Senate.
Is There a Real Chance Nick Saban Would Run For US Senate?
Currently, it seems very unlikely that Nick Saban will be entering the world of politics. Aside from just finishing a very stressful career, he also recently signed a contract to join ESPN’s College Gameday. Saban seems very excited about this opportunity, making it seem like politics are the last thing on his mind.
But 2028 is a long time away. Is there a chance that Saban will be on the set of College Gameday for a few years and decide he wants to try something new? Sure, it’s possible. Is it likely? Don’t hold your breath, even if it does mean getting one more win against Tuberville.
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