Nick Saban has agreed to new terms that include a contract extension and a raise as the University of Alabama’s head coach, the school announced Friday. Saban’s agreement extends his term through the 2025 season and his compensation will increase $400,000 per year.
The new deal also includes an $800,000 bonus for signing (and retroactively for winning last season’s national championship), and future bonuses in the same amount for completing the 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Saban’s new compensation through the 2021 season will be $8.3 million per year, including the bonuses.
Saban’s compensation was $11.132 million in 2017, making him the highest-paid coach in college football. That included a signing bonus of $4 million for his previous extension last May.
“Our family is thrilled to agree to a contract extension with the University of Alabama that will keep us in Tuscaloosa for the rest of our coaching career,” Saban said in a statement. “For (my wife) Terry and me, the Tuscaloosa community and the state of Alabama have become home, and a place with deep roots for our entire family.
“We are very excited about the future, and this agreement allows us to continue to build on the success we have enjoyed at Alabama – both on and off the football field.”
Saban has coached the Crimson Tide to five national championships over the last nine years as well as five Southeastern Conference championships. Alabama has won 125 games over the past decade. The 2018 season will be Saban’s 12th at UA.
“We are so fortunate to have the best football coach in the country here at Alabama in Coach Saban,” UA Director of Athletics Greg Byrne said in a statement, “and we are very pleased that he has agreed to another contract extension.
“What this program has accomplished under him over the past decade is truly remarkable, and it goes well beyond the five national championships. There is obviously a very high expectation to succeed on the field; however, that expectation carries over into the classroom and the community, and it has shown in the number of graduates and hours of community service performed.”
Saban’s players have excelled in the classroom over the last 11 years with a graduation progress rating of 984 that ranks second in the SEC and 11th among NCAA schools. UA had 25 players compete in the national championship game last January who had already earned degrees.
“Nick and Terry Saban have been tremendous assets to our university, and we appreciate all they do to support our students and our community,” said UA President Stuart Bell. “We are so fortunate to have them here, and we are grateful they will continue to invest their time and their talents here in Tuscaloosa.”
The agreement is subject to approval by the compensation committee of the UA board of trustees.
