Sean Spicer will return to the campaign sidelines to help a former Auburn football coach get to the Senate

Former White House communications director Sean Spicer is getting back in the game — and this time, it's not to interview Mike Pompeo on Extra about Bohemian Rhapsody.

Instead, Spicer will assist with a campaign for one of Alabama's Senate seats, people familiar with the matter told Politico. The candidate is a bit of a surprise himself: former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville, who announced on Saturday that he will run as a Republican.

Tuberville will enter the Republican primaries in the hopes of ultimately facing off against Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.). Jones won a hotly-contested and dramatic special election against Republican candidate Roy Moore in 2017 and will try to remain in the seat for a full term in next year's election. He is considered one of 2020's most vulnerable Democratic senators.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

Tuberville, who coached Auburn for 10 years, compiling an 85-40 record in the process, announced his decision via Twitter, where he wrote that "after more than a year of listening to Alabama's citizens," he felt compelled to run.

Spicer's specific role is still unknown, but he's already touting Tuberville's ability to win the race. Tim O'Donnell