Nick Saban imparts wisdom of ‘The Process’ to Alabama graduates as he welcomes Trump

Here is an extensive look at the wisdom Nick Saban shared under the banner of “The Process” as he welcomed President Donald Trump to address the Class of 2025 at the University of Alabama. In the following analysis, you will find:

• A concise overview of the event’s context and significance
• A deep dive into Saban’s core philosophy—defining goals, executing “The Process,” and cultivating self‑discipline
• The three pillars Saban laid out for success: compassion, self‑determination, and striving to be your personal best
• The memorable street‑sweeper analogy rooted in Martin Luther King Jr.’s sermon
• Saban’s own legacy and his relationship with Trump, including White House visits and the famous “red button” anecdote
• A summary of President Trump’s remarks and the surrounding reactions and controversies
• Reflections on the lasting impact of Saban’s message for these graduates

Context of the Event

On the evening of May 1, 2025, the University of Alabama hosted a special commencement‑style event in Coleman Coliseum where President Donald Trump delivered an address to the Class of 2025—a departure from the formal ceremonies held May 2–4, which remained unchanged .
The gathering of approximately 6,700 graduates and guests represented the first time in 18 years the university featured a high‑profile commencement speaker outside its traditional ceremonies .
To kick off the festivities, legendary former Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban took the podium to introduce President Trump—setting the tone with humor and then imparting a powerful life lesson centered on “The Process” .

Nick Saban’s Philosophy: The Process

Nick Saban’s success at Alabama (17 seasons, six national championships) and earlier at LSU was never accidental; it was built on a relentless focus on daily routines and disciplined decision‑making that he collectively calls “The Process” .

Defining Goals and Process

Saban opened by congratulating the graduates on their achievement and reminding them they had “created an opportunity to create a legacy now” .
He urged each student first to define clear goals, but even more critically to “define the process—​the very things you need to do on a day‑to‑day basis to accomplish the goals that you have” .
This distinction between outcome and daily habits, Saban explained, shifts focus from lofty aspirations to the actionable steps—practices, rituals, and standards—that produce results over time .

Discipline and Decision‑Making

Central to “The Process” is self‑discipline: making the right choices when faced with two types of daily decisions. He challenged graduates to ask themselves:

“Here’s something I know I’m supposed to do that I really don’t want to do. Can you make yourself do it?”

“Here’s something you know you’re not supposed to do, but you want to do it. Can you keep yourself from it?” .
By consistently choosing wisely—​pursuing productive actions and resisting harmful impulses—​Saban insists one can sustain momentum toward long‑term aspirations .

The Three Pillars

Saban condensed his decades of leadership into three timeless principles to augment “The Process”:

Compassion for Others

“Treat people like you would like to be treated. Treat people nicely on your way up; you might meet them on the way down. It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice” .

Self‑Determination and Accountability

“Be responsible for your own self‑determination. You’ve got to earn it. Don’t look at or blame someone else. Have accountability for what your job is and what you need to do” .

Striving to Be Your Best

“It’s not about beating the other guy. It’s about being the best you can be. If you’re a street sweeper, sweep the streets like Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel” .

These pillars, Saban conveyed, are equally vital for personal integrity and professional excellence as they were for building championship football teams .

The Street‑Sweeper Analogy

Drawing on Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1947 “Street‑Sweeper Sermon,” Saban illustrated how everyday roles can be elevated by passion and pride in one’s work:

“If you’re gonna be a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper in the world. Sweep the streets like Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel, like Shakespeare wrote literature…” .
This vivid image underscored Saban’s belief that mastery and craftsmanship in any field, however humble, pave the way to greatness .

Saban’s Legacy and Relationship with Trump

Having guided Alabama to six titles (including back‑to‑back championships in 2011–12), Saban is no stranger to White House visits .
He noted that after winning the 2017 championship, he and team captains were invited as the first sports delegation to tour the Oval Office under President Trump in 2018—a gracious hosting that included a large red button on the presidential desk .
With characteristic wit, Saban recounted how a player dared to press the button only to have a staffer enter bearing a Coke on a tray—a lighthearted moment that humanized the trappings of power .
In Thursday’s remarks, Saban expressed “appreciation to President Trump for choosing the University of Alabama for his commencement address and making time to speak to our graduates” .

President Trump’s Address

Following Saban’s remarks, President Trump took the stage in his first commencement speech of his second term, celebrating the Class of 2025 as “the first graduating class of the Golden Age of America,” a nod to his administration’s achievements and ambitions .
He opened by embracing local tradition—“Roll Tide”—and congratulating the graduates on their hard work and dedication .
Blending motivational advice with political commentary, Trump offered life lessons such as “find your limits and then smash through everything” and “never, ever give up,” while tying them to his own early successes in real estate and business .
Amid applause in this conservative‑leaning venue, he also reaffirmed his positions on immigration restrictions, transgender athletes in women’s sports, and criticized what he sees as judicial overreach—remarks that drew both cheers and protests .

Reactions and Controversies

The special event was labeled optional by the university, and nearly 500 attendees participated in a nearby “Tide Against Trump” rally organized by College Democrats featuring speakers like Beto O’Rourke and former Senator Doug Jones .
Critics, including student groups and the Alabama NAACP, voiced concerns over introducing partisan politics into an academic milestone, even as supporters praised the speech’s energy and encouragement .
Local reporting noted that enhanced security measures and logistical changes—for example, shuttles to Coleman Coliseum—underscored the event’s unique stature amid the standard May 2–4 ceremonies .

Significance and Conclusion

Nick Saban’s concise, heartfelt introduction did more than set the stage for a presidential address; it crystallized decades of leadership into a roadmap for young adults at a pivotal moment of transition.
By emphasizing the disciplined execution of “The Process,” daily decision‑making, compassion, accountability, and personal excellence, Saban offered the Class of 2025 tools to navigate an unpredictable world—and to build their own legacies of success .
In welcoming President Trump, Saban bridged the realms of sports and politics, allowing a moment of collective reflection on leadership, service, and the power of habit. Whether on the football field or in public life, the core tenets of “The Process” remain Saban’s enduring gift to these graduates—and a challenge to all of us: define your path, commit to your daily steps, and be the best at whatever you choose to do.

Executive Summary

On May 1, 2025, the University of Alabama hosted a special commencement‑style event in Coleman Coliseum where legendary coach Nick Saban delivered a motivational introduction for President Donald Trump’s address, crystallizing his championship‑winning philosophy known as “The Process” for the Class of 2025 and their guests . Saban’s remarks distilled decades of leadership into clear, actionable principles—defining daily habits, exercising self‑discipline, and embracing compassion, accountability, and excellence—before sharing a playful Oval Office anecdote with Trump about a red button and a Coke delivery . President Trump followed with a nearly hour‑long speech blending motivational guidance—“find your limits and smash through everything”—with policy highlights from his first 100 days in office and partisan commentary, prompting both applause and protests, including a “Tide Against Trump” rally organized by student Democrats off‑campus . This article expands upon the event’s context, delves deeper into Saban’s philosophy, examines Trump’s address and campus reactions, and assesses the broader implications of this unique convergence of sports leadership and political spectacle.

Event Context and Significance

The special event on the evening of May 1, 2025, was staged one day before the University of Alabama’s traditional commencement ceremonies, drawing approximately 6,700 graduates and guests to Coleman Coliseum as part of President Trump’s first commencement speech of his second term . Though labeled by the university as an optional “special event,” it represented a strategic choice by the Trump administration to deliver a graduation speech at a public institution in a deeply Republican state, underscoring his emphasis on populist education policy and his criticism of elite private universities .

The decision to feature President Trump at Alabama also marked the first time in nearly two decades that the university hosted a high‑profile external speaker outside its standard ceremonies, with Saban’s participation lending deep local resonance given his record six national championships and deep ties to Tuscaloosa’s community . Alabama Political Reporter noted that the address drew a well‑organized counter‑rally by UA College Democrats and allied groups calling themselves “Tide Against Trump,” which featured former Congressman Beto O’Rourke and ex‑Senator Doug Jones . Enhanced security measures, shuttle services, and visible debate over the event’s partisanship highlighted the unique logistical and political stakes of hosting a sitting president here .

Deep Dive into “The Process”

Origins and Core Principle

Nick Saban’s storied career—comprising 17 seasons as Alabama’s head coach and six national titles—was never built on mere talent alone but on his uncompromising approach he terms “The Process,” which centers on defining the precise daily actions that lead to long‑term success . He prefaced his introduction by urging graduates to “define clear goals,” but even more importantly to “define the process—the very things you need to do on a day‑to‑day basis to accomplish the goals that you have” . This emphasis on habits over outcomes shifts focus from distant aspirations to actionable routines, a philosophy aligned with behavioral psychology research on habit formation and performance under pressure.

Saban explained that “Process” demands rigorous self‑discipline: handling two types of daily choices—actions you should do but don’t want to, and impulses you shouldn’t follow but feel drawn toward—and resolving to make the right decision consistently . By framing success as a series of smart, repeatable choices, Saban helps graduates internalize how incremental progress compounds toward significant achievements, whether on the football field or in corporate boardrooms.

The Three Pillars of Excellence

Beyond daily routines, Saban distilled his leadership ethos into three foundational pillars:

Compassion for Others

“Treat people like you would like to be treated… It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice” .

Self‑Determination and Accountability

“Be responsible for your own self‑determination. You’ve got to earn it. Don’t look at or blame someone else” .

Striving to Be Your Best

“It’s not about beating the other guy. It’s about being the best that you can be… Sweep the streets like Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel” .

These tenets, Saban asserted, are universal drivers of personal integrity and professional excellence, forming the moral compass and work ethic that underpinned his championship teams’ sustained dominance .

The Street‑Sweeper Analogy and MLK’s Sermon

Saban’s most evocative moment drew on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1947 “Street‑Sweeper Sermon,” in which MLK argued for pride and craftsmanship in every vocation, however humble . By urging graduates to “sweep the streets like Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel,” Saban highlighted that mastery and passion in any role can elevate both individual fulfillment and societal impact . This metaphor linked the university’s tradition of excellence with a broader civil‑rights legacy rooted in Tuscaloosa, home to key moments of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the broader movement for equal rights.

Saban’s Oval Office Anecdote

In a lighter vein, Saban recounted a memorable White House visit following Alabama’s 2017 championship, when President Trump himself invited Saban and his captains to push a mysterious red button on the presidential desk . When linebacker Rashaan Evans finally dared to press it, “some lady came in with a Coke on a tray,” delightfully subverting expectations about nuclear triggers and presidential power . This story underscored Saban’s rapport with Trump, forged through mutual respect and punctuated by humor, humanizing the spectacle of power for graduating students .

Analysis of President Trump’s Address

Motivational Themes

President Trump opened by embracing Alabama tradition—“Roll Tide”—and lauding the graduates for their resilience and ambition, dubbing them “the first graduating class of the Golden Age of America” amid his touted policy achievements . He offered classic motivational mantras: “find your limits and then smash through everything,” “give it your all,” and “think big,” drawing parallels to his early real‑estate triumphs and iconic entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs and Walt Disney .

Political Commentary and Controversies

Interlacing encouragement with partisan themes, Trump championed his first‑100‑days record, defended sweeping tariffs, reiterated baseless claims of his 2020 election victory, and echoed his administration’s policies to restrict transgender participation in women’s sports—remarks that provoked both cheers and jeers . He also spotlighted support from tech titans, noting that Elon Musk and other Silicon Valley figures who once opposed him were now “kissing my ass” after backing his 2024 campaign financially . This blend of self‑promotion, policy advocacy, and motivational advice exemplified Trump’s signature approach to public speaking.

Campus Reaction and “Tide Against Trump”

Despite enthusiastic applause inside Coleman Coliseum, a robust off‑campus counter‑event drew over 500 protesters to Snow Hinton Park, where student Democrats organized a “Tide Against Trump” rally featuring Beto O’Rourke and Doug Jones . Protesters highlighted concerns over Trump’s immigration stances, Department of Education cuts, and the detainment of international students, asserting that the university’s invitation did not reflect the views of the entire student body . Conversely, UA College Republicans praised the speech’s inclusion of a sitting president and defended the event as a valuable opportunity for civic engagement .

Broader Implications for Academia and Leadership

This event blurred traditional lines between sports celebrity, academic ceremony, and political theater, illustrating how high‑profile figures like Nick Saban can lend credibility and local flavor to political events, while also reinforcing the university’s brand as a crucible for leadership . It raises questions about the role of partisan figures at academic milestones, the impact on university reputations, and how future institutions might navigate invitations to controversial speakers against the backdrop of campus community values.

Conclusion

Nick Saban’s introduction at the University of Alabama was more than a warm‑up act; it served as a masterclass in leadership distilled into “The Process,” equipping graduates with a roadmap of self‑discipline, compassion, accountability, and excellence . By framing life’s journey as a succession of daily choices and emphasizing pride in one’s work regardless of scale, Saban extended his championship legacy from football into broader life lessons. President Trump’s subsequent address—part motivational pep talk, part political manifesto—elicited both fervent support and vocal protest, reflecting the polarized climate of contemporary America . Ultimately, this unique commencement‑style event will stand as a testament to the power of routine, discipline, and community engagement in shaping the next generation of leaders.