Trump’s inauguration speech caused Kalen DeBoer to react because he had no plans for college football
Kalen DeBoer, the head coach of the University of Washington Huskies football team, is a figure who has dedicated his career to shaping and advancing college football. As someone deeply embedded in the sport, DeBoer’s response to the speech delivered by Donald Trump at his inauguration on January 20, 2025, revealed a unique perspective on the intersection between politics and college athletics. Trump’s address, filled with promises of revitalizing America, tackling economic issues, and restoring national pride, stirred reactions across various sectors of American society. Among those reacting was DeBoer, whose response centered around the omission of college football from the speech, and more importantly, the broader absence of any real plans or focus on the sport that has become a significant cultural and economic force in the United States.
Trump’s inauguration speech was historic in many ways. As the 45th president took office, he outlined his vision for the country, promising to bring about sweeping changes. His rhetoric emphasized the revitalization of the American economy, the reduction of government bureaucracy, and a commitment to putting “America First.” However, in the midst of these grand declarations, one area seemed notably absent: college athletics, particularly college football. For a sport that generates billions in revenue, garners millions of fans, and plays a major role in the American collegiate experience, the lack of any mention or plans for college football was striking, and for DeBoer, it was a point of concern.
The Landscape of College Football in 2017
In order to understand DeBoer’s reaction to Trump’s speech, it is crucial to consider the landscape of college football in 2017. College football, particularly at programs like Washington, where DeBoer had come to prominence as head coach, is not just a game—it is an institution that shapes the lives of athletes, coaches, universities, and millions of fans. With its multimillion-dollar TV contracts, sponsorships, and the high stakes of bowl games, college football had become a multibillion-dollar industry. Yet, at the same time, the sport was at a crossroads, facing several major challenges that required attention from leadership at all levels.
One of the most pressing issues in 2017 was the debate over the compensation of college athletes. College football players were still operating under the NCAA’s amateurism rules, meaning they were not allowed to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), despite the enormous sums of money generated by their athletic performance. This issue had long been a source of frustration for players, coaches, and fans alike. While NCAA athletes received scholarships, room and board, and other benefits, the financial benefits that universities and the NCAA itself reaped from football games, bowl games, and television contracts were astronomical, creating an increasing tension over the fairness of the system.
Additionally, player safety was becoming a major point of focus. In the years leading up to Trump’s inauguration, research into the long-term effects of concussions and other head injuries in football had prompted growing concerns. Coaches, athletic departments, and medical professionals had begun to take steps to improve safety protocols, but there was still no unified approach to managing player health on a national scale. These issues were particularly important for DeBoer, whose own coaching career was deeply connected to the health and well-being of his players.
Lastly, the increasing commercialization of college football was affecting not only athletes and coaches but also the very nature of the sport itself. The rise of major conferences, large TV contracts, and the power of the college football playoff system had made college football a national spectacle. While this brought in substantial revenue, it also created a set of challenges for coaches and universities as they navigated the demands of competing at the highest level.
For DeBoer, the absence of any mention of college football during Trump’s inaugural speech signified a lack of awareness of these critical issues. College football wasn’t just a game; it was a major part of American culture, with billions of dollars at stake and millions of people invested in its success. The lack of attention to the sport in a speech that outlined the president’s vision for the future of America felt like a missed opportunity to address the pressing concerns facing college athletics.
DeBoer’s Concerns: Lack of Focus on College Football
Kalen DeBoer’s reaction to Trump’s speech was centered around the realization that, in the midst of all the grand promises, there was little to no focus on the future of college football. For a sport so deeply embedded in American society, DeBoer’s frustration stemmed from the fact that a new president had taken office with no clear plan to address the challenges facing college athletics, particularly football.
As a coach, DeBoer had firsthand experience of the increasing commercialization of the sport and the growing pressures that come with it. The rising costs associated with recruiting, maintaining high-performance programs, and competing in the ever-evolving world of college football left many coaches feeling as though they were operating within a system that was becoming more financially driven and less focused on the welfare of players. DeBoer recognized that the lack of leadership on the national stage would have serious consequences for the sport. Without the attention and direction of political leaders, DeBoer worried that the challenges facing the game could continue to be ignored or mishandled.
One of the most significant concerns for DeBoer was the issue of player compensation. As college football programs continued to rake in substantial profits, players were still restricted by NCAA rules that prohibited them from receiving any form of payment beyond their scholarships. DeBoer, who had coached at various levels before taking the reins at Washington, saw how this system placed athletes in a precarious position. Many players came from disadvantaged backgrounds, and yet they were contributing to a multi-billion dollar industry without being able to benefit financially. DeBoer was not alone in his belief that reform was necessary. The debate surrounding NCAA athlete compensation had gained momentum, with players and advocates calling for a shift towards compensating college athletes in a more equitable way. However, the absence of any reference to college football in Trump’s speech made it seem as though these issues were not on the new administration’s radar.
Player safety was another area that DeBoer felt needed national attention. The growing awareness of the long-term health risks associated with football, particularly related to concussions, had prompted calls for greater regulation and oversight. DeBoer, like many other coaches, understood the risks his players faced each time they stepped onto the field. Yet, in the face of these risks, there was little concrete policy or leadership coming from the top levels of government to ensure that college football programs had the necessary resources to protect their athletes. For DeBoer, this was another missed opportunity for leadership. The lack of focus on the safety of college athletes in Trump’s address reflected a broader neglect of the issues that coaches like DeBoer were grappling with on a daily basis.
Lastly, DeBoer was concerned with the overall commercialization of college football and the pressure it placed on universities and athletes. With the growing influence of television contracts, bowl games, and sponsorships, the financial stakes in college football had never been higher. While this influx of money was beneficial for some, it also created an environment where winning at all costs became the primary focus, often at the expense of player welfare. DeBoer had seen firsthand the toll that this pressure could take on athletes, and he knew that without clear leadership, the focus on profits could overshadow the educational and developmental benefits that college football was supposed to provide.
The Absence of a National Vision
Trump’s inaugural speech was an opportunity for the new president to set the tone for his administration and to communicate his priorities to the American public. While the speech was filled with sweeping promises to revitalize the economy, restore American pride, and challenge the status quo, it lacked a clear vision for the future of college football. For DeBoer and many others in the sport, this omission was a glaring signal that the future of college athletics had not yet received the attention it deserved.
In DeBoer’s view, the lack of a national conversation about the future of college football was more than just an oversight—it was indicative of a broader failure of leadership. College football is a cornerstone of American sports culture, with a massive economic impact and a deep influence on universities, players, and fans alike. Without a national vision for the sport, DeBoer feared that the challenges facing college football—such as player compensation, safety, and commercialization—would continue to go unaddressed, leading to further divisions between the sport’s financial interests and the welfare of its athletes.
