The University of Alabama is in the middle of one of the greatest dynasties, not only in college football history, but in the modern sports world. Since Nick Saban took over as head coach, the Crimson Tide are 132-20, have brought home five national championships, and own one of the best recruiting classes year after year.
On Friday, head coach Nick Saban and the University of Alabama agreed on an eight-year contract extension that will keep the coach in Tuscaloosa until January 31, 2025.
Saban is due to make $8.3 million in 2018 as Alabama head coach.
Saban's eight-year deal includes base salary and talent fee raise up to $7.5 million annually, which will increase $400,000 every year for the life of his new contract. He'll get a $4 million signing bonus, as well as another $4 million spread out over a three-year stretch. The contract is laden with additional incentives as well based on the team's performance.
In the final year of his contract, Saban will earn $10.3 million.
"Terry and I are pleased and happy to agree to the contract extension The University of Alabama has offered us, ensuring our time here in Tuscaloosa will continue for many more years," Saban said. "This has become our home and we are looking forward to finishing our career at Alabama."
The 66-year-old head coach has earned every penny.
There have been 40 All-American selections to play for Nick Saban at Alabama. The Crimson Tide have also had 65 players selected in the NFL Draft, including 22 in the first round, since 2009.
All those numbers are the most in the nation, and it's not even close.
It's not just winning games the veteran football coach is excelling at either. Saban and his football staff are building college-educated men who are prepared for life after football.
Over the past 10 seasons, the University of Alabama successfully graduates 80 percent of its players, the highest in the SEC last year, and the fifth highest rate in the nation.
Greg Byrne, the University of Alabama's Director of Athletics said, "Coach Saban has obviously won a lot of football games and championships, but he has also done an outstanding job when it comes to academics and community service. I don't think you can measure the positive impact he and Ms. Terry [Saban] have made over the last decade. We look forward to working with them for many years to come."
Despite losing 15 starters from last season, Alabama returns 54 letterman (compared to only 21 lost) as they retool for their College Football Playoff title defense.
It'll be another year of Alabama football dominance in the SEC until someone can step up and dethrone the king's of college football.
And if they do? Well, Nick Saban's deal only keeps him around for another eight years.
