Has the University of Alabama actually saved money by employing Nick Saban as its head football coach while also making him among the highest-paid coaches in the nation?
A Twitter user by the name of Wayne Ingram this week pointed out the discrepancy between what Saban has made since he arrived in 2007 versus how much Auburn has paid its four head coaches in that same time frame. Ingram, who calls himself a "maker of coach salary spreadsheets," noted Saban has earned around $10 million less than what Auburn has paid its coaches while he has been in Tuscaloosa.
Since 2007, Saban has led the Crimson Tide to a 188-27 record, including six national championships and eight SEC titles, which means he has earned numerous bonuses on top of his base salary. Saban also has won 11 Iron Bowls in his time at Alabama.
Per Tuscaloosa News, Alabama Media Group and USA Today's Roll Tide Wire, breakdown of Saban's year-by-year salary estimates is as follows:
2007: $3.5 million
2008: $3.75 million
2009: $4.45 million
2010: $4.1 million
2011: $4.15 million
2012: $5.3 million
2013: $5.4 million
2014: $6.9 million
2015: $6.9 million
2016: $6.94 million
2017: $11.1 million (includes one-time signing bonus of $4 million)
2018: $8.3 million
2019: $8.7 million
2020: $9.1 million
2021: $9.5 million
2022: $10.95 million
Total: $97.54 million
Auburn, since 2007 has been led by Tommy Tuberville, Gene Chizik, Gus Malzahn and Bryan Harsin. The up-and-down Tigers have gone 126-80 with one national championship and one SEC title across those coaches' tenures with only five Iron Bowl wins.
According to ESPN, Alabama Media Group, Auburn Wire and Saturday Down South, yearly breakdown for Auburn's contracts is as follows:
2007: $2.4 million
2008: $7.7 million (includes Tuberville's $5.08 million buyout)
2009: $1.9 million
2010: $3.2 million
2011: $3.5 million
2012: $11 million (includes Chizik's buyout)
2013: $2.4 million
2014: $3.85 million
2015: $4.1 million
2016: $4.72 million
2017: $4.72 million
2018: $6.7 million
2019: $6.8 million
2020: $28.35 million (includes Malzahn's buyout)
2021: $5 million
2022: $20.4 million (includes Harsin's buyout)
Total: $116.74 million
Although pinpointing contract details can be tough to do given the inclusion of incentives, Saban's deal shows that despite being among the highest-paid coaches year in and year out, he has still come at a cheaper price than what other schools trying to find their Nick Saban have spent.
Right before the 2022 season began, Saban signed an extension to remain in Tuscaloosa until 2030.
Auburn announced Hugh Freeze at the end of the 2022 season. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Freeze's deal will be for six years and have an average salary of $6.5 million annually.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email trent.baker@1819news.com.
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