President Donald Trump stirred the pot this week with a bold statement: he believes a certain NFL head coach would make “a great president.” During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, he named Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles as a standout, saying, “He’s some coach… he’s great.” Newsweek+1
The Moment That Triggered It For Donald Trump
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Sarasota Fairgrounds Saturday night, July 3, 2021, that was Co-sponsored by the Republican Party of Florida. Trump, 75, talked about MAGA and the accomplishments of his administration.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Sarasota Fairgrounds Saturday night, July 3, 2021, that was Co-sponsored by the Republican Party of Florida. Trump, 75, talked about MAGA and the accomplishments of his administration.
Sar 070521 Trump Rally 05
The comments came just days after Trump was seated at the Commanders‑Lions game, where his presence added extra glare to his sports‑and‑power commentary. On the show, he drew direct lines between football strategy and national leadership:
“I’ll probably get myself in a little trouble for this, but I hate the kickoff [rules],” Trump told ESPN’s Pat McAfee. “I think it’s so terrible. I think it’s so demeaning, and I think it hurts the game. It hurts the pageantry.
I’ve told that to Roger Goodell, and I don’t think it’s any safer. I mean, you still have guys crashing into each other, and it’s the opposite of what the game [is supposed to be]. The ball is in the air, and nobody’s moving. It’s supposed to be when the ball is in the air, when the ball is played, you’re supposed to move. You walk in and the pageantry of the game is so badly hurt.”
Trump later revealed that he’s a big fan of Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni. In fact, he’d vouch for him to run the country.
“We had the great Philadelphia team here,” Trump said. “He’s some coach. He’s great. They had a lot of talented people. Great leader.”
Unsurprisingly, the president of the United States also has a great deal of respect for Alabama legend Nick Saban.
Trump is hoping Saban will play a role in stabilizing college sports amid all the NIL and transfer portal concerns.
“I know him, and I got to know him because he brought his team to the White House. You know, he had the team, he won a lot. And I got to know him. He’s a fantastic guy, and he’s somebody that really, they should get involved in college sports in terms of making sure that, you know, it all works out,” Trump said, via On3.
Why It’s Raising Eyebrows
Nov 10, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni on the sidelines in the first half against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Nov 10, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni on the sidelines in the first half against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Blurring lines: Trump’s remarks blur the line between sports fandom and political endorsement, suggesting coaches could shift into the highest political office.
High stakes: Naming a current NFL coach as “presidential material” elevates both the coach’s profile and the political game.
Unanswered questions: What role does Trump imagine for these coaches? Is this a leadership endorsement—or a shift in his political strategy?
What to Watch
Will Nick Sirianni respond? His reaction could signal whether this moves beyond a casual comment into something more serious.
How will the NFL respond? Does the league view this as harmless sports talk or a political moment with consequences?
Are other coaches implicated? Trump’s phrasing leaves the door open for more names—and more headlines.
For All NFL And Football Content:
Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) at @mcquadewarnold . Also, do not forget to follow us at On Twitter for even more great football content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in the world of Football – especially with all the trade rumors swirling around and free agency new s – college football, and more,click here!