Former Auburn head football coach and current U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville is reportedly planning a run for governor of Alabama in 2026, according to the Associated Press.
Though Tuberville currently serves as a Republican senator, sources indicate he’s preparing to shift his focus to the state’s top executive role. When contacted by the AP, Tuberville said he will officially reveal his plans on Tuesday.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey is barred from seeking re-election in 2026 due to term limits, opening the door for new contenders. Tuberville, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, entered politics after a long coaching career and won his Senate seat in 2020, defeating Democratic incumbent Doug Jones with Trump’s endorsement.
Before his political career, Tuberville spent decades in college football. He coached at Ole Miss from 1995 to 1998, then led Auburn from 1999 through 2008. During his tenure, he posted an 85-40 record, highlighted by an undefeated 13-0 season in 2004 that earned Auburn an SEC Championship. He notched nine or more wins in six of his 10 years with the Tigers.
After resigning from Auburn following a disappointing 5-7 season in 2008, Tuberville returned to the sidelines in 2010 as head coach at Texas Tech, where he went 20-17 over three seasons. He later coached at Cincinnati, finishing with a 29-22 record over four years before stepping down in 2016 after a 4-8 campaign.
Now, Tuberville appears ready to bring his leadership experience from the football field and the Senate chamber to the governor’s office.
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