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US President Donald Trump poses for photos with the 2017 NCAA football national champions the Alabama Crimson Tide at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 10, 2018, as coach Nick Saban holds the jersey. / AFP PHOTO / NICHOLAS KAMM via Getty
On Friday, March 6, 2026, President Trump will host his inaugural “College Sports Roundtable” at The White House, bringing together the biggest names and legends in college athletics, coaching, and governmental affairs. Thus far, big A-Listers like Tiger Woods, Tim Tebow, Nick Saban, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have been confirmed as both invitees and attendees at Friday’s meeting of the best and brightest in the world of college sports. But there are three names that are inarguably far more powerful at this moment.
You’ve probably never heard of them, but when the College Sports Roundtable convenes later this week, these three people will not only be amongst the biggest names in college sports – Rather, out of all of the attendees seated at the table, these three people will collectively hold the most influence.
Jere W. Morehead – President of The University of Georgia
Getty Ellis Robinson IV #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates and interception during the second half of a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Currently serving as the 22nd President of The University of Georgia since his tenure began in 2013, Jere W. Morehead has overseen the Bulldogs’ athletic departments and college football program as they teams have become key players in the NCAA – with two back-to-back national championship titles secured in 2021 and 2022.
A leader in the country’s inarguably most dominant conference – the Southeastern Conference (SEC) – the President of The University of Georgia holds more power than most people may realize. According to USA Today, Jere Morehead “is the most powerful president or chancellor in the SEC, and likely college sports. He’s widely considered the most hands-on sports administrator in the nation.” So… there’s that.
Jeff Gold – Chancellor of the University of Nebraska System
GettyHead coach Morgan Scalley of the Utah Utes looks on from the sideline during the second half of the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Allegiant Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
While Jere Morehead may be the president of one of the nation’s best universities for college athletics, the second name of the three key power players at the upcoming College Sports Roundtable is the leader of an entire system of universities. Jeff Gold is the current Chancellor of the University of Nebraska system, which includes the flagship institution – the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with the Cornhuskers’ football team – alongside five other large-scale collegiate academic institutions and several medical school campuses across the state.
Yes, Morehead will carry weight coming from the SEC, but no one should downplay the influence held by the Big Ten when it comes to college sports. Since the College Sports Roundtable at The White House won’t just discuss college football and the FBS, being the Chancellor of a major Big Ten institution system carries a lot of gravity when it comes to discussing issues with impacts on the Big Ten’s dominant basketball teams, hockey programs, swimming, volleyball, and more. When it comes to having sway in Friday’s dialogue, Jeff Gold is as good as gold!
Donde Plowman – Chancellor of the University of Tennessee System
GettyLabaron Philon #0 of the Alabama Crimson Tide dribbles the ball against Ethan Burg #35 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game at Thompson-Boling Arena on February 28, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Jeff Gold won’t be the only Chancellor of a major state-wide system of academic institutions present at The White House for the College Sports Roundtable. Donde Plowman, the Chancellor of the University of Tennessee system, will also be at the meeting of powerful leaders in collegiate sports and administration.
Danny White, the athletic director at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, oversees the Volunteers’ football program as part of his jurisdiction. But his purview is only a small fraction of Donde Plowman’s jurisdiction as the system’s Chancellor. Plowman is one of the most vocal advocates for a collective bargaining initiative and control over paying collegiate athletes for their time spent playing on behalf of higher education institutions. It is anticipated that both Danny White and Donde Plowman will arrive to Friday’s roundtable with substantial, exceptionally thorough, and comprehensive research to support the stance they take amongst the room of sports leaders.
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