New University of Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne, head football coach Nick Saban, nine assistant football coaches and a key staffer all got new or approved contracts Tuesday morning.
The UA board of trustees’ compensation committee approved all 12 contracts via conference call.
Saban’s contact was extended three years to run through Jan. 31, 2025 with a base salary of $245,000 and a talent fee of $6.48 million. He also received a “contract extension signing incentive” that paid him $4 million.
All told, Saban will earn $11.15 million in 2017.
“Terry and I are pleased and happy to agree to the contract extension The University of Alabama has offered us, ensuring our time here in Tuscaloosa will continue for many more years,” Saban said via UA release. “This has become our home and we are looking forward to finishing our career at Alabama. I want to thank President (Stuart) Bell, Greg Byrne, our athletic administration, football staff and the entire University community for all of their support, which has been instrumental in the success of our organization. We are extremely proud of the young men who have represented the Crimson Tide on the football field, and more importantly, what they have been able to accomplish in their lives off the field because of their involvement in our program.”
The contract extension was Byrne’s first official personnel act as Alabama’s director of athletics. He began the job March 1. On the day he was hired, Byrne met with reporters and clearly articulated his awareness that keeping a healthy football program is the top job.
“It is an exciting day when we can announce that the best football coach in the country has agreed to a contract extension,” Byrne said via release. “Before I came to Alabama, I was always impressed with Coach Saban and how he ran his program. After being here and seeing first-hand the job that he does, I’ve come away even more impressed. Coach Saban has obviously won a lot of football games and championships, but he has also done an outstanding job when it comes to academics and community service. I don’t think you can measure the positive impact he and Ms. Terry have made over the last decade. We look forward to working with them for many years to come.”
Byrne also had his contract formally approve, though he’s been on the job for more than two months. Byrne will earn a salary of $900,000 with a scheduled $25,000 increase each year through June 30, 2022.
Outside linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi, who is also listed as the team’s co-defensive coordinator, earned a $400,000 raise to take him to $950,000 annually. Lupoi turned down multiple offers to be a defensive coordinator at Power 5 school programs. He is widely considered one of the top recruiters in the country.
As The Tuscaloosa News previously reported, first-year offensive coordinator Brian Daboll will annually earn $1.2 million. His is a three-year contract.
Other contracts approved
- Jeremy Pruitt, defensive coordinator, $1.3 million (with $100,000 raise every year), contract expires Feb. 29, 2020
- Burton Burns, running backs coach, $490,000, contract expires Feb. 28, 2019
- Derrick Ansley, defensive backs coach, $405,000, contract expires Feb. 28, 2019
- Brent Key, offensive line coach, $400,000, contract expires Feb. 28, 2019
- Joe Pannunzio,tight ends/special teams, $375,000, contract expires Feb. 28, 2019
- Karl Dubar, defensive lines coach, $275,000 (with $300,000 raise in 2018), contract expires Feb. 28, 2019
- Mike Locksley, wide receivers coach, $600,000, contract expires Feb. 28, 2019
- Scott Cochran, strength and conditioning coach, $535,000, contract expires Feb. 28, 2020
Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229.
