When the word became official in late August that Nick Saban had agreed to a contract extension --- and was subsequently rubber-stamped by Alabama’s trustees -- it was the culmination of an offseason of rumors that a new deal was being worked on and could be completed before the start of the 2009 season.
What wasn’t known was who was behind the financial bump in the form of retention bonuses. And who proposed the extension itself.
Speaking to the Mobile Press-Register, athletic director Mal Moore said it was the school’s idea to reward Saban’s perfect 12-0 start to the 2008 season, while it was the head coach who broached the idea of an extension.
“Toward the end of the season last year, when we were undefeated, the President and I talked about a retention bonus, that we need to look at this and make a presentation there,” Moore said. “When I talked with Coach Saban, he mentioned that he would like an extension, so we kind of blended the two together. I think both sides are very pleased.”
Saban’s new deal is now set to expire on Jan. 31, 2018. If Saban remains the head coach on specified dates in January of 2012, 2015 and 2018, he would receive bonuses of $1.6 million, $1.7 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
While he could always revert to being “Bad Nick” and forego the bonuses, the fact that it was Saban’s idea to extend the deal is a good sign for not only the ‘Bama faithful, but for the Tide’s recruiting efforts as well.
