Nick Saban recalls hilarious story about Donald Trump's interaction with Alabama players at White House: "Lady came out with a Coke"

Former Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban addressed the students graduating from the University of Alabama's Class of 2025 at Coleman Coliseum on Thursday.

Before making way for US President Donald Trump to address the students, Saban shared a hilarious story from his team’s 2018 White House visit following their 2017 national title win.

Saban reflected on a memorable moment with three team captains in the Oval Office — and a mysterious red button that caught everyone’s attention. He also recalled the exchange between Trump and linebacker Rashaan Evans at the Oval Office.

"So I take the three captains into the Oval Office, and the president's really nice to everybody," Saban said. "He’s got this very big, good-looking, auspicious box on his desk that has a red button on top. And one of the players said, 'Is that what you launch the missiles with?' And he said, 'Well, push it and find out.'

"The player said, 'No, I don’t want to do that.' He said, 'Oh, go ahead, go ahead, push it, see what happens, find out.' So Rashaan Evans finally got the guts, went over, and pushed the red button. Some lady came in with a Coke on a tray."

Donald Trump's tongue-in-cheek attempt to bring back Nick Saban as head coach

Nick Saban retired from coaching the Alabama Crimson Tide after the 2023 season. He spent 17 seasons in Tuscaloosa and won six national championships.

When Donald Trump took center stage, he asked Alabama fans if they would like Saban back as head coach. However, he was quick to add that the current coach, Kalen DeBoer, is doing a good job.

“Nick (Saban), what a great coach. Let’s bring him back," Trump said. "No, you have a good coach right now, though. You have a good coach right now.”

DeBoer led the program to a 9-4 season, but they missed out on the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Trump was at Bryant-Denny Stadium to watch Alabama's 41-34 win against Georgia on Sept. 28.

About the author

Krutik Jain is a journalist who has been reporting on baseball at Sportskeeda since 2022. It was in 2018 when the baseball bug bit Krutik, and already a cricket fan, he credits baseball's rules and Clayton Kershaw's pitching to have hooked him to the game.

A Kershaw and Mookie Betts fan, Krutik rates his favorite team LA Dodgers triumphing over Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 World Series as his best baseball moment so far. His answer to the perennial "one player from the past you could meet" question is Jackie Robinson. Despite never having seen him play, Robinson's impact, legacy and trail-blazing journey have left an indelible impact on Krutik.

A rigorous fact-checker, Krutik likes reporting on the technical aspects of the game as well as off-field elements. When not watching baseball, Krutik is busy playing cricket, staying up to date with the happenings around the world and hiking.

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Edited by Dipayan Moitra