Former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban — who has been at the center of the fight to preserve college sports since his retirement — as well as UA President Dr. Peter Mohler, have each issued statements of support on President Trump’s executive order on college sports.

“President Trump’s executive order today is a critical step towards restoring stability in college sports. I thank the President for his leadership on this important issue, as ensuring the long-term health of college athletics should be in the interest of all Americans,” Saban said in a statement via the White House.

Dr. Mohler took things a step further, speaking from the role of a university president as to how the state of college athletics has shifted from his perspective.

“As a university president, I believe our foremost responsibility is to prepare students not only for their first job, but for lives of purpose, leadership, and meaningful contribution beyond our campus,” Mohler said.

“That mission rests on a commitment to core values-fairness, integrity, respect, accountability, and responsibility-that must guide how we teach, learn, and compete. Yet the current platform underlying collegiate athletics is no longer aligned with these foundational principles. Systemic change is required-change that is centered on credible and enduring support of our student-athletes, academically, personally, and athletically.”

Mohler continued, “The University of Alabama appreciates President Trump’s sense of urgency and understanding that extensive ‘action is required before college sports are lost forever.’ We are grateful for his leadership in mobilizing attention to this important issue and look forward to working with the White House, Congress, the College Sports Commission, and the NCAA to develop a sustainable framework for collegiate athletics that allows student-athletes to obtain a degree and have access to legitimate NIL opportunities.”

Trump’s signed EO puts hard eligibility limits on college athletes and limits transfer abilities, something which will of course be challenged in the courts.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) introduced the Student-Athlete Act several weeks ago which was essentially a blueprint for the EO and if it were signed into law would make it permanent.

During an appearance on Fox News, Saban thanked the President not only for taking a step in the right direction, but also hosting a roundtable event that the legendary coach attended and spoke at to give his thoughts on the damage being done by the transfer portal, eligibility issues, NIL and everything in between.

“I want to thank the President for showing leadership, and creating a roundtable to gather information that could help create some regulation that would help us manage and fund ALL sports, so that we can continue to create opportunities for young people,” Saban said.