Former Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban is always thoughtful and honest when speaking on the current state in college sports especially since retirement, and Friday afternoon at the White House was no different.

President Trump hosted a roundtable event on the future of college sports focused on solving issues like NIL and the transfer portal, and Saban was one attendee on a long list of distinguished guests.

While giving his take on what needs to happen to restore some order to college football and the rest of the sports, Saban offered a perspective not many think of: players creating value for their futures both through athletic achievement as well as the ultimate goal of getting a degree.

“We have a challenge here today on the ramifications of the current system on how it helps players be successful in their future and how we can impact and create a system that will help and preserve the opportunity for student athletes to be able to have success in their future beyond athletics,” Saban said.

“How much does anybody talk about getting an education anymore? Nobody talks about it at all, which is the most important thing any of these student athletes can do in terms of enhancing their future…We need to come up with a system to allow student athletes in all sports, including women’s and olympic sports, to enhance their quality of life, while going to college — but still provide opportunity to advance themselves beyond their athletic career.”

Trump is planning another executive order to try to return college athletics back to a similar system of old, however it will unquestionably face challenges in court. With voices like Saban in the room however who clearly have the best long-term interest of the athlete at the front of mind, perhaps this unique set of challenges can be tackled.