Did Nick Saban turn down $100 million offer to coach Texas?

Betallsports · Jul 17, 2014

At the end of last season, rumors swirled about Alabama coach Nick Saban possibly moving to Austin to coach Texas.

There were reports that regents were talking to Saban's agent, Jimmy Sexton, while Saban maintained he was very committed to the Tide.
The fears of Crimson Tide fans were put to rest when Saban agreed to a multi-year extension last December.

Now comes a juicy little rumor that Saban will surely be asked about when he appears at SEC Media Days on Thursday in Hoover, Alabama.
According to a new book written by SEC Network's Paul Finebaum, and co-written by ESPN's Gene Wojchiechowski, Texas boosters were willing to offer Saban a compensation package exceeding $100 million.

Al.com received an advance copy of the book, which includes this passage:

"Texas was dead serious about trying to money-whip Saban. Depending on whom you talk to -- Bama big hitters or Texas big hitters -- the Longhorns were prepared to give Saban somewhere between a $12 and $15 million signing bonus and a salary package worth $100 million (plus performances)."

Texas wound up hiring Charlie Strong from Louisville, and what wealthy, loose-lipped boosters say they're willing to do does not in any way mean the university was willing to stand behind those terms in an official contract offer.

Nonetheless, there's a ton of money in Texas and a powerful football machine that's looking to be rejuvenated. Anything, supposedly, is possible.

GoSooners · Jul 17, 2014

All that money offered up, and they had to settle for Plan H, Charlie Strong.

TheComputerGroup · Jul 17, 2014

That's some serious money for a coach but I guess some guys aren't interested in money? LoL......maybe Saban didn't see much potential in Texas & his reputation as a winning coach would go down hill in Texas.

Texas has had their winning years bu t they don't get the recruits like the SEC. Saban wants the best players possible around him.

TheComputerGroup · Jul 17, 2014

GoSooners said:
All that money offered up, and they had to settle for Plan H, Charlie Strong.

What did Texas end up paying Strong?

And you're right, all those high numbers they were throwing around would make you think they would get a top 3 of head coaches in college.

GoSooners · Jul 17, 2014

The Computer Group said:
What did Texas end up paying Strong?

And you're right, all those high numbers they were throwing around would make you think they would get a top 3 of head coaches in college.

I believe Strong will make somewhere around $5 million give or take. Saban is getting about $7 million. Poor bastard, I don't know how he is going to survive without that $100 mil. I can guarantee you if this story has any element of truth to it that Saban didn't turn it down because of the money. It's having to put up with all of those oil rich fat cat boosters that would try to run the show. There's only one person that runs the show when Nick Saban is coaching, and that's Saban. In the long run, Strong may be the best option for Texas. I think he could possibly do more for the program than Saban because right now the team needs a good old fashioned ass whoopin'that purges the program of it's country club mentality. Of course he may not last more than 3 years, but he'll prepare it for better things down the road. The way I look at it is a stronger Texas is good for the conference. And especially good for Oklahoma. Just like back in the old days a strong Nebraska was good for OU, and vice versa.

packer2012 · Jul 17, 2014

The Computer Group said:
What did Texas end up paying Strong?

And you're right, all those high numbers they were throwing around would make you think they would get a top 3 of head coaches in college.

Great question and post Group!

And ..... what the heck is Strong's pedigree to deserve that kind of jack? You think that is pretty close Sooners? (5 mill)

Coming from Louisville? Are you shitting me? Was not too long ago that nobody ever cared if Louisville even had a football team. Really didn't matter..... because they could not beat anybody!

cloverleaf · Jul 17, 2014

No, Nick Saban was not offered $100 million to move to Texas. Sounds like a couple of ole boosters with too much to drink bragging to a couple of sports writers. Keep in mind, Paul Finebaum loves to stir the pot to sell books or promote his ESPN radio show.

Charlie Strong will make $5 million this season not including incentives. Brown made $5.450,000 million last season.

packer2012 · Jul 17, 2014

Stupid play by Texas for that much money. Now that I think about it though, the old saying "More money than good sense" has been proven true time and again.

Saban stated today at SEC press conference that he never spoke to anyone from Texas, and was not made any offer. I guess that, of course, does not mean that someone did not make an offer to a "representative" of Coach Saban.

GoSooners · Jul 17, 2014

Keep in mind that Finebaum rides the SEC's dick on just about everything he writes. So I was very suspicious of this story from the start. Besides, Alabama boosters would have sold their children into slavery before they let Saban get away.