Alabama extends Saban's deal, boosts pay

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama coach Nick Saban has parlayed the Crimson Tide's second national championship in three years into a raise and contract extension worth $5.62 million a year.

The university's board of trustees approved a two-year extension for Saban on Monday that will run through Jan. 31, 2020. He'll receive $5.32 million in 2012 with a $50,000 raise next year and $100,000 annually after that.

Under the deal, he'll make $5.97 million in 2019.

Saban will make nearly $45 million over eight years in base salary ($245,000) and what Alabama calls "talent fees."

Saban remains among college football's highest paid coaches, along with Mack Brown of Texas ($5.2 million) and Oklahoma's Bob Stoops ($4.875 million).

He made at least $5.295 million last year in salary, talent fee and bonuses, including $525,000 combined for winning the Southeastern Conference and national titles.

The Tide is 48-6 over the past four seasons. Saban has restored the program to the point that a 10-3 title followup in 2010 was viewed as a big disappointment.

His coaching staff was rewarded, too.

The trustees' compensation committee also approved a $100,000 raise for defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, up to $950,000. New offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier will make $590,000. Both have three-year deals.

New outside linebackers coach Lance Thompson will make $355,000 in a two-year deal.

Other assistant coaches got raises and one-year extensions through Feb. 28, 2014:

— Bobby Williams, who coaches tight ends and special teams, received a $35,000 raise, to $350,000.

— Strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran got a raise from $310,000-$325,000.

— Defensive line coach Chris Rumph goes from $288,750 to $310,000

— Running backs coach Burton Burns got a $10,000 hike, up to $290,000.

— Receivers coach Mike Groh's pay went up from $250,000 to $280,000.

— Secondary coach Jeremy Pruitt is now making $260,000, up from $225,000.