Alabama is a heck of an interesting place when it comes to former athletes launching campaigns! Current Sen. Tommy Tuberville was the longtime head coach of Auburn before coaching at Cincinnati. Then two years later he successfully launched and won his Senate seat. Now that Sen. Tuberville is running to be Gov. of Alabama in 2026 there is a case that an Auburn head coach could be Governor and an Alabama football career leading could be the Lieutenant Governor!

Looking at the field of candidates that he is joining there is only one that I think could give him some trouble from winning the Republican nomination and thus the general election. Wes Allen is the current Secretary of State for Alabama and his father has served in the State House and Senate since the 1990s. Allen has also raised over $500k for his election so he does have some serious money for a state race like this on hand.

That being said a win or a close race would not be surprising given AJ McCarron's name recognition in the state. He was part of 3 National Championship teams and lead the back to back in 2011 and 2012.