Nick Saban Recalls White House Anecdote with Donald Trump

During the University of Alabama's commencement ceremony, former football coach Nick Saban shared a humorous story about a 2018 White House visit with President Donald Trump, where a player pressed a red button on Trump's desk expecting something dramatic, but instead, a staff member brought in a Coke. Saban noted that Trump was the first president to invite his championship team into the Oval Office, and he expressed appreciation for Trump's choice to address the graduates. Trump, in his commencement speech, praised Alabama's athletic programs and jokingly suggested Saban should return as head coach, though acknowledged current coach Kalen DeBoer. The event highlighted both Saban's legacy at Alabama and Trump's ongoing engagement with the university, including past attendance at football games. The ceremony also marked Saban's transition from coaching to a media role after his retirement in 2023. The exchange provided a lighthearted moment and underscored the mutual respect between Saban and Trump.