Former Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville seems to be putting to rest questions about whether he will run for Alabama governor in 2018, filing paperwork with the Alabama Secretary of State's Office last week that established his campaign apparatus.
On March 28, Tuberville filed paperwork establishing his principal campaign committee. Later in the week, Tuberville filed a campaign finance disclosure that showed he loaned himself $100,000 for his gubernatorial campaign, according to campaign finance records. Such a loan is not uncommon for major candidates.
Last month, a CBS Sports report said Tuberville was reportedly eyeing a job outside of football after his most recent stint as Cincinnati head coach. According to the report, sources close to Tuberville said he was considering a run for Alabama governor.
Tuberville later confirmed to the Associated Press that he was discussing his options with potential supporters.
Even with the $100,000 loan, Tuberville has said he has not made a final decision on whether he is running for governor, according
"That doesn't mean you're running," Tuberville said of the campaign finance forms. They are a requirement to begin fundraising.
Tuberville's loan to himself is so far the only contribution in his newly formed campaign account, according to the most recent filing. He indicated on his campaign filings that he would be running as a Republican, in which case he would be barred from accepting any additional contributions until June.
Tuberville said last month that he was awaiting the results of a poll being conducted to gauge public opinion.
Tuberville coached at Auburn from 1999-2008. Under his leadership, the Tigers had an 85-40 record — one of the most successful in Auburn history. In 2004, the team went undefeated but didn't make it into the BCS National Championship game. They took a 2005 Sugar Bowl victory instead.
After leaving Auburn in 2008, Tuberville coached at Texas Tech and then moved on to Cincinnati.
Alabama GOP Chairwoman Terry Lathan, who has said Tuberville could make a great candidate in the Republican race for governor, said she spoke with Tuberville over the phone about two weeks ago. She said he was still considering his final decision.
"He just said he was looking at the possibility," Lathan said. "He's listening. He really wants to hear from people. The party doesn't get involved in the primary, but he did reach out to me, as have several others who are considering running for governor. I think we'll have a crowded field."
Lathan said in February in another interview with The Plainsman that Tuberville's lack of political experience wouldn't hold him back. Instead, it could be an asset.
"Donald Trump moved over 16 very qualified politicians, so right now, I don't think the atmosphere has moved too far from that," Lathan said.
Lathan said they would welcome Tuberville, who just recently moved back to his home on Lake Martin, with open arms.
"Anybody who is willing to be our teammate on our mission, we welcome whoever would like to run," Lathan said. "At the end of the day, though, the voters make the decision in the primary."
While at Auburn, Tuberville was known for winning six straight games over Alabama. Tuberville's likely foray into politics would be in a state with a football divide as deep as its political divisions. He told the AP that being in sports was like "being in politics for the last 40 years.”
Tuberville is not the only Republican who has filed campaign committee paperwork. Public Service Commission Chair Twinkle Cavanaugh has also filed paperwork to run for governor. She also said she wasn't ready to make a final decision on whether she will launch a full-fledged campaign.
By the time of the publication of this article, Tommy Tuberville had not responded to request for comment.
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