Could retired Alabama football coach Nick Saban save America? | GARY COSBY JR.

Nick Saban has retired as the Alabama football head coach. I never thought to see that day.

Coach Saban is going to retain some role with the University of Alabama, though that role seems rather amorphic right now. He did bring in fired head coach after fired head coach as consultants or assistants over his time at 'Bama and rehabbed several careers, so maybe this is his turn to get a little rehab.

But I think not.

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What I wonder is just how long it will be before Miss Terry looks at her husband and tells him to go get a job? I can almost see him putting the grandkids through drills before Thanksgiving dinner. That won’t go over very well. Of course, the TV networks will come calling for his services, but how long before coach Saban wants to jump through the camera and strangle someone for a missed assignment. I don’t think he uses TV-appropriate words when he is dressing down a defensive back for getting burned deep.

So, I have a suggestion.

Nick Saban for president.

And I’m only half-joking. I mean, we elected Tommy Tuberville as a senator for crying out loud, so Saban for president is completely realistic. Saban has leadership figured out and if there is anything this nation needs right now, it is leadership.

He also appears to be the perfect age for presidents these days. Trump is pushing 80 and Biden is nearing the age of Methuselah as presidents go, so 72 is prime. Plus, Nick Saban actually makes sense when he talks. You can’t say that about Trump or Biden.

Kirby Smart could come along and join the staff, I mean the Cabinet, as Secretary of Defense. And Lane Kiffin could … Wait, scratch that. Might not be a good idea. Taunting opposing armies with the touchdown signal before the first shot is fired is in bad taste.

I think there would need to be a Cabinet post for Deion Sanders as well. I mean, a dude nicknamed Prime Time needs a Cabinet position. Perhaps, with all that bling he has accumulated over the years, secretary of the treasury would be a good spot for him.

Josh Maxson for White House spokesman? I know, most of y’all don’t know Josh, but he has been Saban’s media relations man for as long as I have been around the program. Josh also knows how to say no while more or less managing reporters, not that Saban needs any help in that role.

But, oh my goodness, can’t you just see Saban handling the White House press corps? I would pay to watch those press conferences. After being in a few of them over the years, I can tell you watching Saban dress down a Washington Post, New York Times, CNN, or Fox reporter would be viewing the nation would not want to miss.

By the way, pandemics are no problem for Saban. Did you see how Alabama mowed through the pandemic and college football. They stayed healthy, they stayed on point, they followed the advice of medical professionals ― imagine that — and they went undefeated and crushed Ohio State in the national championship game.

He might need to apologize to Ohioans for that whoopin’ because Ohio is one of those key states a candidate needs to carry to win the White House. But still, Roll Tide, baby! Sorry Ohio. And sorry Florida, and Texas, and Louisiana, and Georgia, and well, the list is long.

The cool thing is Saban didn’t cheat to win his championships. Not calling any names, but one candidate who accused the other candidate of cheating was the one who actually got caught cheating, so Saban is automatically better than either of those two bozos.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, that Saban’s time at Alabama produced record revenue and growth for the University of Alabama, so our candidate has a handle on how to move the needle when it comes to the economy.

Then there is the benefit he has brought to the Tuscaloosa community. Did you know the Sabans have funded 20 houses for Habitat for Humanity? I think number 21 house is about to be built very soon. Jimmy Carter did a bunch of volunteer work for Habitat, but that was after his presidency and I don’t think he funded them out of his pocket. Not sure about that, but I’m pretty dang sure Trump and Biden don’t have that kind of track record in benevolence.

The question is, which party would Saban represent? The answer. Who cares? Whatever he brought to the table would be better than the three-ring circus we are enduring right now. I’m completely serious about this. America is in the throes of a desperate leadership crisis, particularly at the top of both political parties. Saban fully understands leadership and team building, two things that are not visible in either political party.

After all those meetings at midfield both before and after games with opposing coaches, Saban understands how to reach across the aisle in victory or defeat. We could definitely use a little bit of that so, coach Saban, you’ve got one vote already.

Gary Cosby Jr. can be reached at gary.cosby@tuscaloosanews.com

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Nick Saban for president? He's got my vote | GARY COSBY JR.