Nick Saban’s Retirement is Costing College Football $100M and Counting

Nick Saban prevented plenty of coaches from winning more games during his career. At least now he’s paying them back: The domino effect on college football from his retirement last week is getting more expensive by the day. The departure of the seven-time national championship winner has generated at least $100 million—and potentially much more—in new contracts, extensions, and buyouts.

Alabama’s swift and decisive move to replace Saban with Kalen DeBoer cost at least $12 million up front, in the form of the latter’s buyout fee at Washington. The terms of DeBoer’s contract at Alabama have yet to be released, but it is widely believed the Crimson Tide could be spending $11 million or more in annual salary.

After DeBoer’s exit, Washington quickly pounced on Arizona coach Jedd Fisch, spending $5.5 million to buy him out and committing $54 million in salary over the next seven years. And now the Wildcats are reportedly hiring San Jose State coach Brent Brennan, who has a buyout fee of $1 million, to replace Fisch.

The financial impact of Saban stepping down extends beyond Alabama and Washington. Florida State coach Mike Norvell and Texas coach Steve Sarkisian—believed to have been potential options to replace Saban—each received contract extensions, with raises reportedly pushing them past $10 million in annual salary. Norvell had been making $7.3 million a year, while Sarkisian had brought in $6 million.

To recap, here’s the financial fallout, so far, from Saban leaving Alabama:

💰 Alabama > Washington: $12M DeBoer buyout

💰 Alabama > DeBoer: $11M+/year

💰 Washington > Arizona: $5.5M Fisch buyout

💰 Washington > Fisch: 7 years, $54M

💰 Arizona > San Jose State: $1M Brennan buyout

💰 FSU/Texas > Norvell/Sarkisian: $3-4M raise