“You never say never on anything; okay, because things change.”
For a few months now, one name has stirred earlier-than-expected speculation over the 2026 Alabama governor’s race: Tommy Tuberville.
No doubt, Tuberville’s name has long carried weight in Alabama, so much so that the honorable title of senator has proven almost unnecessary these last four years. “Coach” Tuberville is the man most folks in Alabama still know and love. Football is just that big in this state, and God Bless Alabama for it.
Pick the top three names in Alabama politics besides Tuberville — Gov. Kay Ivey, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, and even U.S. Sen. Katie Britt. No offense y’all, but Nick Saban will always have the bigger name. National titles just carry that much more sway in Alabama than political titles.
Indeed, I suspect the only way a truly ambitious Alabama politician could ever come close to practically eclipsing Saban’s name would be to win the United States presidency.
Now that would be a sight to see.
That said, Tuberville doesn’t need another political title added to his name – though his name does hold enough currency to acquire any political title in Alabama for which he may desire to campaign. Given Tuberville’s name ID, he would be almost unbeatable in a race to be Alabama’s next governor. Though arguments over his residency have already begun to excite the usual bucket of crabs here in Alabama, I suspect Tuberville could easily win the 2026 gubernatorial race no matter how many times the opposition may brand him “Florida Man.”
But the question isn’t whether Tuberville’s name is enough to win him the governor’s chair.
It is.
The question is – to what agenda is Tuberville willing to lend his name?
Ever since the “Gov. Tuberville” rumors started circulating at the beginning of this year, I have wondered just what his agenda for Alabama might be.
Would he seek to overhaul the state government with a visionary, populist approach, or would he simply lend his name to rebrand more of the same long-pushed ideas by Alabama’s Big Mules?
Again, Tuberville doesn’t need another political title, and there may very well be more downside than upside in procuring another one.
Yes, Tuberville’s name may be a sure thing for victory in a 2026 gubernatorial campaign, but once seated in the governor’s chair and brought down to the level of state politics, Coach could very well see diminishing returns over just a couple of years — and even a massive deleveraging and devaluation of his legacy.
If Coach doesn’t enjoy the petty politics of the United States Senate, why would he expect to enjoy the more petty politics of Goat Hill?
If Coach doesn’t enjoy living part-time in Washington, D.C., why would he expect to enjoy living part-time in Montgomery of all places?
You can never say never, OK? But unless Tuberville is ready to gamble his name on an agenda of big-and-bold Alabama First change, I say he should stay in the U.S. Senate—until it’s time to retire to the loveliest village on the plains.
Joey Clark is a native Alabamian and is currently the host of the radio program News and Views on News Talk 93.1 FM WACV out of Montgomery, AL M-F 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. His column appears every Tuesday in 1819 News. To contact Joey for media or speaking appearances as well as any feedback, please email [email protected]. Follow him on X @TheJoeyClark or watch the radio show livestream.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
