Worth it: Nick Saban
The highest paid coach in college football has been worth every penny, as Alabama’s dynasty continues to roll on.
Prior to becoming a legend in Tuscaloosa, Saban started his coaching career at his alma mater Kent State in 1973 before steadily rising up the ranks at various stops for the next two decades. Saban made a brief one-year stop as head coach of Toledo in 1990, but really made a name for himself by leading Michigan State to a 34-24-1 record between from 1995-1999, culminating in a 10-win campaign.
That success led to a major job at LSU, where Saban captured his first national title in 2003. After a failed attempt to jump the NFL with the Miami Dolphins, Saban joined Alabama in 2007, and has been untouchable ever since by bringing the traditional powerhouse back to glory with four national championships in 11 seasons.
A number of stats during Alabama’s 130-20 run under Saban are almost too unbelievable to be true, but perhaps the most impressive is the fact that the Crimson Tide have been ranked No. 1 at some point in each of the last 10 seasons. Saban brings in the nation’s best recruiting class every season and does a terrific job developing that talent, as evidenced by Alabama’s 11-1 mark this season despite suffering a number of injuries.
The Crimson Tide will gladly pay $11.1 million a year for that kind of success, even if Saban makes $2.5 million more than any other head coach in college football. Saban’s price tag might continue to go up, but it’s hard to imagine the legendary coach not being worth it until he retires.