[Lefty Noob]

ESPN is reporting that Alabama has just offered Nick Saban a contract that would pay between $40-50 million over an unknown amount of years, which would make him far and away the highest paid coach in the NCAA. All the other discussion we've had about deals already being in place and whether he is or isn't coming to Tuscaloosa aside... he's a fool if he turns down that kind of money. This is Larry Brown money.

[bamatothecore]

Saban is the best coach on the list. I hope he takes this offer into consideration, as his near future at Miami doesn't look very promising. I hope he comes because "he" wants to come and not just for and because of the money. A satisfied and happy coach makes for a much better relationship with the college and the players. If he says again that he doesn't want to come to the "Tide", then we should leave him alone and persue other options!

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

ESPN is reporting that Alabama has just offered Nick Saban a contract that would pay between $40-50 million over an unknown amount of years, which would make him far and away the highest paid coach in the NCAA. All the other discussion we've had about deals already being in place and whether he is or isn't coming to Tuscaloosa aside... he's a fool if he turns down that kind of money. This is Larry Brown money.

Desperate times, call for desperate measures huh?

[Count on it]

ESPN.com - NCF - Alabama to make formal offer to Saban later today

There are going to be ALOT of folks on this board eating HUMBLE pie if he accepts .

[Jetpowered]

It all depends on what Hoyzinga does dollar wise. You can't ever tell about that guy anyway. Working for him vs working at the capstone probably have very similar pressure levels. With that kind of money people DEMAND performance and rightfully so. It will be an interesting 48 hours that's for sure.

[EmpireWF]

If players can chase the money, so can coaches. No way he can turn this down. That kind of money is insane for a coach but the Crimson Tide are in between a rock and a hard place.

He seems like the answer to all their problems though.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

He seems like the answer to all their problems though.

Well, with the already high expections down there, plus this kind of contract, he better win at least 10 games next season, and one of them has to be the Iron Bowl. Could be a very short honeymoon... if those two things don't happen, the fans, media and alumni will likely turn on Saban quickly.

[argos41]

Let's see: Shula gets a $4 million buyout. After Saban loses his 3rd consecutive Iron Bowl to Tuberville (Tuberville is 3-2 lifetime against Saban) and Mal Moore (or let's just say the UA Board of Regents) decides it's time for another change, what would Saban's buyout be? According to my calculations 7 years @ $4 million/yr = $28 million. Hope those young UA graduates can make their student loan payments while Nick enjoys a life of luxury somewhere on the Mediterranean coast or perhaps Palm Beach, FL. What a country! Does anyone think things are getting a little out of control here?

Originally Posted by argos41

Let's see: Shula gets a $4 million buyout. After Saban loses his 3rd consecutive Iron Bowl to Tuberville (Tuberville is 3-2 lifetime against Saban) and Mal Moore (or let's just say the UA Board of Regents) decides it's time for another change, what would Saban's buyout be? According to my calculations 7 years @ $4 million/yr = $28 million. Hope those young UA graduates can make their student loan payments while Nick enjoys a life of luxury somewhere on the Mediterranean coast or perhaps Palm Beach, FL. What a country! Does anyone think things are getting a little out of control here?

I agree. I think it's getting crazy. I'm a big fan but it is embarrasing that the tradition of Bama has to resort to crazy money to get a coach that has already turned us down. Id rather see us get a coach that is on the up swing and pay him that kind of money after he has proven himself.

[koko1]

I think UA can more than handle his contract and a buy-out if they have to....The football program alone made 35 mil last year... but I would suspect the buy out to be around 8-9 mil

Saban is not under any buy-out with the Dolphins, he is free to go if he wishes.

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by argos41

Does anyone think things are getting a little out of control here?

Perhaps, but that's what you gotta expect from a school with a storied athletic program. Same with Notre Dame and Charlie Weis' large contract.

As for wanting results ASAP Lefty, I would think they can give Saban (if he takes the job) at least two years to turn things around, get his players in and whatnot and "coach 'em up" as they say.

Of course, a 5-win season would probably rub people the wrong way.

[Pudge]

I think that after all of this bad talk from the media and fans, Saban is probably going to be given alot of rope if he takes the job. I mean that this whole episode has put a 3" tarnish on the university. He will probably be looked at with more patience than any other coach in the history of the program, I hope. The university and fans don't want to go through this mess again. Besides I could probably take the returning talent and win at least 10 ball games, that is a little sarcasum if no one noticed.

At the half between Boise State and OU, what a awesome game...huh, the commentater mentioned very softly that Saban was made an offer and he took it to the miami owner to renegotiate his contract with them and oh wing nut said that he wasn't renegotiating. I don't know about you all but it appears to me, if this is true, Saban tried to bluff the miami owner by using this bama deal and got called. I think if he doesn't come the Bama now, if that report is true, he may look like a horses #ss. Money talks but nobody wants to look like a mercinary.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

As for wanting results ASAP Lefty, I would think they can give Saban (if he takes the job) at least two years to turn things around, get his players in and whatnot and "coach 'em up" as they say.

Of course, a 5-win season would probably rub people the wrong way.

Well, he wouldn't be fired or anything after a bad first season, but don't forget that some of the Bama fans here expressed the opinion that they had the talent to be National Champions this year. Not sure if that's the dominant opinion in Tuscaloosa, but that puts a LOT of pressure on a new head coach coming in. If he struggles out the gate and loses to Auburn, the warm and fuzzy feelings tied to his possible arrival would be an ancient memory.

It is amazing to me to watch the bowl game predictions and see how the games actually came out, to expect anyone to start predicting NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP on any team anymore. Look at the Boise State game- nobody thought they would hang with OU with Peterson back!
I alos think it is carzy of the NCAA to allow a school to pay that kind of money for to a coach who is caoching "amatuer players". They will allow a school to pay this kind of money, but crucify a program if they try and help a struggling student athlete with a ticket home!