Full contract details revealed for Nick Saban's new extension
The Alabama Crimson Tide released the details of head coach Nick Saban’s massive new contract on Tuesday. The deal, which now runs through the 2029 season and ends in February of 2030, is worth a total of at least $93.6 million.
Alabama will pay the seven-time national championship-winning head coach $10.7 million in 2022 under the new deal. However, by 2029, he’ll receive at least $12.7 million.
The average of his contract once again makes him the highest-paid head coach in the NCAA. The Georgia Bulldogs had briefly made Kirby Smart the highest-paid head coach after he won the national championship in 2022. Although Smart’s deal is longer (10 years), he’ll make $12.25 million in 2031, which is less than Saban.
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Adding yet another year on his contract can help the Crimson Tide, which has had to fend off rumblings about the 70-year-old’s retirement for several seasons now.
Although Nick Saban’s base salary is actually $305,000 a year, he makes the bulk of his income via talent fees. The contract details break down how much he’ll make in talent fees each year until the end of the deal in Feb. 2030.
Saban contract details
Talent Fees
2022 – $9,595,000.00
2023 – $9,995,000.00
2024 – $10,395,000.00
2025 – $10,795,000.00
2026 – $11,195,000.00
2027 – $11,595,000.00
2028 – $11,995,000.00
2029 – $12,395,000.00
On top of talent fees, the Tide head coach will also get an additional $800,000 from 2022-2025 in completion benefits for finishing the season. Additionally, the University will pay $100,000 each year to Nick’s Kids, Saban’s charitable organization, through 2029.
During his 16-year tenure at Alabama, Nick Saban has signed eight different contract updates. His first deal paid him $4 million. Although he signed a new deal just last season, a number of other top coaches received extensions this offseason, likely triggering new negotiations.
According to AL.com, these are the highest-paid head coaches heading into the 2022 season. The list does not include USC head coach Lincoln Riley whose new contract is not public information.
- Nick Saban $11.7 million a year
- Kirby Smart: $11.25 million
- Brian Kelly: $9.5 million
- Mel Tucker $9.5 million
- Ryan Day $9.5 million
- Jimbo Fisher $9.5 million
- Dabo Swinney $9.3 million
Incentives breakdown
Nick Saban’s incentives are broken down into athletic incentives and academic incentives. For academics, he would receive $100,000 if the team finishes in the top four SEC programs in graduation rate.
SEC Championship – $75,000 for playing -or- $125,000 for winning
SEC Coach of the Year – $25,000
National Coach of the Year – $50,000
Any post-season bowl – $65,000 -or-
SEC-associated bowl – $90,000 -or-
New Year’s Six bowl – $200,000 -or-
CFP Playoff – $400,00 -or-
National Championship – $600,000 for playing -or- $800,000 for winning
*Postseason incentives are not compounding