Saban Signs 3-Year Contract Extension

Alabama is going to keep Nick Saban around as football coach for a few more years. On Saturday it was announced by Athletics Director Mal Moore that Saban, a two-time national coach of the year, has signed a three-year extension to his original contract. The new contract will keep him in charge of the Crimson Tide football program through the 2017 season.

The contract extension is subject to approval by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama System. That committee is expected to meet soon to discuss the extension and that discussion should take, oh, two or three seconds.

“Coach Saban has impressively led the Alabama football program back to national prominence in a short period of time,” said UA Director of Athletics Mal Moore. “That success has been evident in all facets – on-field results, his embrace of Alabama’s athletics and academic culture, recruiting, and community service. In every way, Coach Saban has positioned our program among college football’s elite.

“This contract extension is a clear statement of our mutual commitment to building on the foundation he has established.”

Nick Saban, who is about to begin his third season at the helm of the Alabama program, signed an original eight-year contract when he joined the Crimson Tide in 2007 that was to carry him through the 2014 season. This contract extension will be effective immediately after Board of Trustees approval and will add an additional three years to the original commitment.

“Terry and I are pleased and happy that The University of Alabama has offered us an extension to our original contract,” said Saban. “Our acceptance of the extension expresses our commitment to the University of Alabama for the rest of our coaching career. Dr. Witt and the University community have been tremendous in terms of their cooperation in rebuilding the football program. The outstanding support from Mal (Moore) and the athletic department have set the table for us to be successful. We greatly appreciate the time, effort and dedication of everyone involved with our football program, as well as all of the positive energy our fans have demonstrated since we’ve been in Tuscaloosa.”

In two seasons with Crimson Tide, Saban has led Alabama to a 19-8 record including a 12-2 mark in 2008 that garnered a Southeastern Conference Western Division title and a final ranking of 6th in both the Associated Press media poll and the USA Today/ESPN coaches' rankings.

The 2008 season, which produced the largest single-season wins turnaround in Alabama history, earned the Crimson Tide a trip to the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Saban was honored as the 2008 Home Depot National Coach of the Year by ESPN, earned the Football Writers Association (FWAA) Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year Award, and was awarded the same honor by the Associated Press, Sporting News, the Walter Camp Football Foundation and Liberty Mutual. Saban, who has a career record as a college head coach of 110-50-1 (.686), ranks fifth in winning percentage among active coaches with at least 10 years experience at the Division 1-A level.

Saban’s influence off the field has been equally impressive and is evidence of his commitment to the total program. The current roster features 12 student-athletes who have already earned their degrees – a total higher than any school in the country entering the 2009 season. The most recent SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll included 12 members of the Crimson Tide football team, which led the conference. Saban and his wife, Terry, have also made a positive impact in the community. Through the Nick’s Kids Foundation, the Sabans have raised more than $1 million for local charities and organizations since arriving in Tuscaloosa. In addition, the Sabans announced a $1 million gift to benefit the University of Alabama’s first-generation scholarship program in June of 2008.

Details of the contract extension will be released after consideration by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Trustees.