Thomas Hawley Tuberville, commonly known as Tommy Tuberville, is an American politician and retired college football coach serving as the senior United States Senator from Alabama since 2021. A member of the Republican Party, he is a conservative and vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump. Before entering politics, Tuberville built a prominent career in college football, serving as head coach at the University of Mississippi (1995-1998), Auburn University (1999-2008), Texas Tech University (2010-2012), and the University of Cincinnati (2013-2016). His tenure at Auburn was particularly notable, where he led the team to an undefeated season in 2004 and multiple bowl victories. After coaching, he worked as a sports broadcaster and analyst for ESPN. Born in Camden, Arkansas, Tuberville began his football journey playing at Harmony Grove High School and later at Southern Arkansas University, where he majored in education. His coaching career started at the high school level in Arkansas before ascending to assistant roles at Arkansas State and the University of Miami in the 1980s. Tuberville's entry into politics was marked by his 2020 Senate campaign, defeating incumbent Doug Jones with strong backing from conservative donors, including Richard Uihlein. As a senator, he has focused his legislative efforts on military, family, and conservative issues, gaining national attention in 2023 for single-handedly blocking hundreds of military promotions for nearly 10 months in protest of a Pentagon policy allowing service members time off for abortions and other reproductive care, highlighting his staunch anti-abortion stance. His background as a Southern conservative has shaped his ideology, emphasizing traditional family values, Second Amendment rights, and opposition to progressive policies. He has been criticized for his limited prior political experience and for controversial statements, but his celebrity from football has bolstered his appeal in Alabama.