Nick Saban definitely knows how to give big speeches, but he was just the opening act at Alabama's graduation ceremony.
The former Crimson Tide head football coach introduced President Donald Trump on Thursday at the university's commencement. After Saban offered some words of wisdom in a seven-minute speech to the new graduates, the commander-in-chief walked onto the stage and shook hands with the college football legend before delivering his nearly hour-long address.
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This isn't the first time Saban and Trump have met, of course. After Alabama won the national championship in 2018, the legendary coach was on hand for the Crimson Tide's visit to the White House. Saban told an interesting story about the encounter before introducing Trump.
Here's what to know about Nick Saban and Donald Trump.
Nick Saban-Donald Trump graduation ceremony, explained
Saban delivered some remarks to Alabama's newest graduates before turning the keys to the commencement ceremony over to the commander-in-chief. It's tough to top the greatest college football coach in history, but Saban jokingly admitted he felt a bit overshadowed.
“I gotta be honest with you, I feel like I’m the warmup band for The Rollings Stones. And the first song they’re going to play is ‘Start Me Up,'” Saban said.
The Alabama band went with "Hail to the Chief" instead as Trump made his way to the stage to greet Saban at the presidential podium.
Coach Nick Saban introduces President Trump at the 2025 University of Alabama Spring Graduation Ceremony #trump #usa #national #alabama #news #rolltide pic.twitter.com/5uk8mQhCes
— ABC 33/40 News (@abc3340) May 2, 2025
The President delivered a roughly 58 minute speech that covered a wide range of political topics, including criticisms of former President Joe Biden’s economy, defenses of his own policies and commentary regarding transgender athletes.