In a recent ceremony, President Donald Trump made a notable gaffe while discussing the achievements of Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.). During the event, where Trump signed an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” he mistakenly credited Tuberville with coaching Patrick Mahomes, the star quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. This error is particularly striking given that Tuberville was at Texas Tech from 2010 to 2012, while Mahomes played there from 2014 to 2016.
Trump’s Misstep: A Mix-Up in Coaching History
“… And Tommy Tuberville, a great coach. You know, his quarterback was named Mahomes, he was a great college coach,” Trump stated in a clip shared on social media. “And I said, ‘How good was he?’ (Tuberville) said, ‘You don’t want to know how good … he made me into a great coach.’ He’s a pretty good quarterback, right? Yeah, he was very good, and he’s a good guy too.” This mix-up has sparked conversations about the intersection of sports and politics, as Tuberville’s coaching career and Trump’s political maneuvers continue to attract attention.
From Coaching to Politics: Tuberville’s Journey
Before stepping into the political arena, Tuberville had a notable coaching career that included stints at Ole Miss, Auburn, Texas Tech, and Cincinnati. He took over as head coach at Texas Tech in 2010, following the legendary Mike Leach. However, after a three-year tenure that yielded a 20-17 record, Tuberville departed for Cincinnati in 2012.
After retiring from coaching in 2016, Tuberville transitioned into politics, aligning himself with Trump and winning a seat as Alabama’s Republican senator in the 2020 election cycle. His journey from the sidelines to the Senate floor has made him a prominent figure in discussions about college athletics.
Mahomes: The Star Who Shined After Tuberville
While Tuberville’s coaching career was winding down, Mahomes was just beginning to make his mark. The talented quarterback played for Texas Tech from 2014 to 2016 and was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs as the No. 10 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Now, as Mahomes aims for an unprecedented Super Bowl three-peat in Super Bowl LIX, his legacy continues to grow, even as Tuberville’s coaching days are behind him.
Tuberville’s Stance on College Sports and Unionization
In recent months, Tuberville has re-emerged as a significant voice in college sports, especially following the historic vote by the Dartmouth men’s basketball team to form a union. During an interview on Fox News’ “American Reports,” Tuberville expressed his concerns about the implications of unionization in college athletics. He stated, “They’re going to kill the goose that laid the golden egg—all these athletes are—because it pays for everything.”
His remarks reflect a deep-seated belief that unionization could disrupt the financial structure of college sports, which heavily relies on the revenue generated by successful programs. Tuberville emphasized that while scholarships benefit many student-athletes, not all sports bring in significant funds for universities.
The Protecting Athletes, Schools and Sports Act of 2023
Tuberville has been actively involved in legislative efforts related to college sports. Alongside West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin (D), he has worked on the “Protecting Athletes, Schools and Sports Act of 2023,” informally known as the “Pass Act.” This bipartisan initiative aims to address the complexities of college athletics in the wake of changing regulations and pressures surrounding athlete compensation and rights.
“What’s going to happen here is you’re going to see groups of people that are going to try to unionize, and then it’s going to spread across the country,” Tuberville warned. He highlighted the challenges faced in passing legislation that keeps unionization out of college sports, noting that the Democrats have pushed for inclusion, complicating the bipartisan efforts.
The Future of College Sports
Tuberville’s concerns about unionization and its potential impact on college sports resonate with many who fear that the essence of college athletics could be lost. He argues that student-athletes should remain just that—students first, rather than employees. “If you want the federal government involved and ruin something, you try to make the student-athletes employees,” he cautioned. “Soon the federal government will get involved, unions will get involved, and it will be a total disaster.”
As Tuberville navigates his dual roles as a former coach and current senator, the intersection of college sports and politics continues to evolve. His journey from the sidelines to the Senate floor exemplifies how the world of athletics is increasingly intertwined with legislative issues, raising questions about the future of college sports and the student-athletes who define them.
With the landscape of college athletics changing rapidly, Tuberville’s insights and experiences will undoubtedly shape the ongoing discussions about the rights and roles of student-athletes in the years to come. The challenges ahead are significant, but so too are the opportunities for reform and growth in this beloved American institution.
