Saban and staff expected to receive new contracts

TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban is expected to receive a raise and contract extension at the UA Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, along with contract amendments for Alabama football assistant coaches as well.

The UA Board of Trustees' Compensation Committee will meet Monday to vote on amendments to the contracts of Saban and assistant coaches Burton Burns, Mike Groh, Jeremy Pruitt, Chris Rumph, Kirby Smart, Bobby Williams and strength coach Scott Cochran. Approval of initial contracts for new coaches Lance Thompson and Doug Nussmeier are on the committee's agenda as well.

Details of Saban's contract amendments are still unclear. UA extended Saban's contract through the 2017 season in the fall of 2009, at which time he was set to earn an average of $4.7 million per year over the full term of the contract. That extension included a $5 million "Contract Year Completion Benefit", which was set to pay Saban $1.6, $1.7 and $1.7 million in January of 2012, 2015 and 2018.

Smart's contract was extended three years in January, 2011, with an increase in pay to $850,000 per year. Smart is Alabama's highest-paid assistant coach.

Reach Chase Goodbread at chase@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0196.