Nick Saban is a former American football coach and current sportscaster, widely regarded as one of the most successful coaches in college football history.
He is known for his time as the head coach at the University of Alabama, where he won seven national championships, including six at Alabama and one at LSU.
Saban has also served as an analyst for ESPN’s College GameDay since February 2024, contributing to the network’s coverage of the NFL Draft and SEC Media Days.
His coaching career spans over 50 years, taking him to various institutions such as Kent State, Syracuse, West Virginia, Ohio State, Navy and the NFL’s Houston Oilers before becoming a head coach.
Saban’s impact on the sport extends beyond his own success, as he has built an impressive coaching tree that includes numerous prominent NFL and college head coaches.
| Net worth | $80 million |
| Profession | Football coach, sportscaster |
| Date of birth | October 31, 1951 |
| Nationality | American |
Background
Saban has a background deeply rooted in football and family.
His father, Nick Saban Sr., played a significant role in shaping his coaching career.
Saban’s father was a pivotal figure in his early football experiences, starting a Pop Warner team where Saban played and later coached.
Tragically, Saban Sr. passed away when Nick was just starting his coaching journey, leaving a lasting impact on him.
Saban often speaks about his father’s influence, emphasizing the values and direction his father instilled in him.
This relationship with his father, who was not only a parent but also a coach and boss, has been a driving force behind Saban’s pursuit of excellence in football and life.
Net worth
Saban has a net worth estimated at $80 million.
His wealth primarily stems from his highly successful coaching career, where he has achieved unparalleled success in college football, winning seven national championships with LSU and Alabama.
Saban’s substantial net worth reflects his status as one of the highest-paid college football coaches, earning over $12 million annually towards the end of his coaching tenure at Alabama.
Despite his retirement in 2024 after a remarkable 50-year career, his financial success and legacy in the sport remain significant, solidifying his position as one of the most accomplished and well-compensated coaches in college football history.
Salary and contracts
Saban has a current contract worth $93,200,000, excluding performance bonuses.
His base salary for the 2023 season is $10.7 million, which remains unchanged from the previous year.
Saban’s net worth is reported to be $93.2 million as of 2024, largely due to his successful coaching career and various endorsement deals.
He has endorsement deals with brands such as Nike, American Family Insurance, Chevrolet, Coca-Cola and AT&T.
Throughout his career, Saban has earned over $130 Million in salary and bonuses.
Business ventures
Saban is involved in various business ventures beyond his coaching career.
One notable venture is his ownership in Dream Motor Group, a car dealership group that has expanded into Florida with the purchase of two Mercedes-Benz dealerships, an auto repair shop and a former police station for approximately $700 million.
Saban’s group also owns Mercedes-Benz dealerships in the Birmingham area, as well as in Baton Rouge, Houston and Nashville.
Additionally, he has a stake in an Infiniti dealership in Birmingham and a Ferrari dealership in Nashville.
Saban’s business interests extend to real estate as well, with ownership in the Alamite Hotel in downtown Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
His diverse business portfolio showcases his entrepreneurial spirit and success beyond the football field.
Dream Motor Group
Dream Motor Group is a luxury automobile dealership group with luxury retailers located in five states, all within the South.
The company has access to thousands of vehicles, allowing them to provide a wide range of options for customers.
Dream Motor Group prioritizes customer experience, with amenities such as complimentary massage chairs, gourmet ice cream, juice and coffee bars and brand new loaner vehicles.
The company also supports various charities throughout the community.
Dream Motor Group has luxury automobile dealerships in Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas and Florida, including Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari and INFINITI dealerships.
The company is known for its unique and ultra-modern facilities designed around customer needs and comfort.
Dream Motor Group has recently expanded into Florida with the acquisition of two Mercedes-Benz dealerships, a body repair shop, and an office building in Miami-Dade County for $150 million.
The company also co-owns a Mercedes dealership with Saban and former Mercedes-Benz CEO Steve Cannon.
Dream Motor Group’s expansion into Florida is significant, as the state has franchise laws that allow dealers to generate high profits, leading to high goodwill values.
Car collection
Saban is a known car enthusiast and owns several high-end vehicles.
Among his collection is a 2015 Mercedes GT Edition 1, which he purchased for around $130,000 and a 2023 Ferrari Portofino M, which he bought for approximately $250,000.
Saban is also part owner of the Prancing Horse of Nashville dealership, which is the only Ferrari dealership in Nashville, Tennessee.
In addition to his car collection, Saban co-owns a Mercedes dealership and has a stake in Dream Motor Group, which is situated in Birmingham, Alabama.
He also co-owns Mercedes dealerships in Nashville, Tennessee, Irondale and Hoover, Alabama.
Saban is known for his strict rule of only driving his Ferrari on sunny Wednesdays, as he does not want to risk damaging the car in the rain.
Real estate
Saban owns several impressive real estate properties and houses, including a $17.5 million mansion in Jupiter, Florida, which he purchased in 2023.
This luxurious 6,200-square-foot residence features six bedrooms, marble floors, a floating staircase and floor-to-ceiling glass walls.
The house, built in 1992 and renovated in 2016, sits on a 1.68-acre estate with a 40,000-pound boat lift.
Additionally, Saban has a vacation home on Lake Burton in the north Georgia mountains, which boasts a 10,000 square foot main house with 6 bedrooms, a pub, billiards room, custom boat house and a stone lighthouse.
This property offers stunning views of the lake and mountains on 1.7 acres and 700 feet of shoreline.
Saban’s real estate portfolio reflects his taste for luxury and comfort, providing private retreats for relaxation away from the spotlight of his coaching career.
Early career
Saban’s early career saw him transition from playing college football at Kent State to coaching.
After graduating, he began as a graduate assistant at Kent State under coach Don James.
Subsequently, Saban held coaching positions at various universities and the NFL, including Syracuse, West Virginia, Ohio State, Navy and Michigan State.
His coaching journey started with humble beginnings, gradually building experience and expertise before making significant strides in the football coaching world.
Breakthrough and achievements
Saban’s career breakthrough came in 1989 when he landed his first head coaching job at the University of Toledo.
He then moved to the NFL as the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns under Bill Belichick from 1991 to 1994.
Saban’s major breakthrough in college football came with Michigan State University, where he served as head coach from 1995 to 1999.
His tenure at LSU, from 2000 to 2004, was marked by significant success, including a BCS National Championship in 2003.
Saban briefly ventured into the NFL as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2005-2006, but returned to college football with the University of Alabama in 2007.
At Alabama, he has established a dynasty, winning multiple National Championships and consistently keeping the team in the upper echelons of college football.
Saban’s coaching style, emphasizing discipline, hard work, and meticulous attention to detail, has been a hallmark of his success.
He is considered one of the greatest college football coaches of all time, with six victories in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) First Division football championships.
Nick Saban broadcasting career
Saban has embarked on a broadcasting career with ESPN, where he will serve as a TV analyst primarily on the network’s College GameDay show.
This move follows his retirement from coaching, marking a transition into providing insights and perspectives on college football for viewers.
Saban’s role as an analyst on ESPN’s College GameDay is expected to offer additional credibility, authority and entertainment value to the show, enhancing the overall viewing experience for college football fans.
Additionally, he has made appearances on The Pat McAfee Show, where he discussed various topics related to college football and his coaching career.
The show featured Saban sharing his thoughts on the state of college football, providing insights into the game and his experiences as a coach.
Titles won
Saban’s first national championship win came in the 2003 season, when he led the LSU Tigers to a 21-14 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the Sugar Bowl.
This victory clinched the BCS National Championship for LSU.
Saban’s success with the University of Alabama began in the 2009 season, where the Crimson Tide defeated the Texas Longhorns 37-21 in the BCS National Championship game.
This victory marked the beginning of a new era of dominance for Alabama under Saban.
The Crimson Tide went on to win the National Championship in 2011, defeating LSU in the BCS National Championship game.
In 2012, Alabama claimed another National Championship by defeating Notre Dame 42-14 in the BCS National Championship game.
The 2015 season saw Alabama win the National Championship by defeating Clemson 45-40 in the College Football Playoff National Championship game.
In 2017, Alabama won the National Championship by defeating Georgia 26-23 in overtime in the College Football Playoff National Championship game.
Finally, in the 2020 season, Alabama clinched the National Championship with a 52-24 victory over Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship game.
Awards and accolades
Saban has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his illustrious coaching career.
In 2008, he was named the Home Depot Coach of the Year and the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award recipient.
Saban also won the Bobby Bowden National Coach of the Year Award and the Nick Saban Legacy Award.
These awards recognize Saban’s exceptional coaching abilities, leadership and contributions to the game of football.
Saban’s success on the field, characterized by multiple national championships and a remarkable win-loss record, has solidified his reputation as one of the greatest college football coaches in history.
Philanthropic efforts
Saban is known for his significant philanthropic efforts, particularly through the Nick’s Kids Foundation.
Since arriving in Tuscaloosa, Saban and his wife, Terry, have been actively involved in supporting disadvantaged children and various charitable causes.
Through the Nick’s Kids Foundation, they have distributed over $7 million to students, teachers and children’s causes at more than 150 charities.
Additionally, the Sabans played a crucial role in tornado relief efforts in Tuscaloosa and surrounding areas, providing support to rebuild homes lost in the tornado and contributing to the construction of the Saban Catholic Student Center.
In 2008, Saban was awarded the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award and designated a $50,000 gift for Nick’s Kids, along with an additional $20,000 for The University of Alabama scholarship fund.
The Sabans have also made substantial donations, including a $1 million gift to benefit Alabama’s first-generation scholarship program.
Personal life
Saban’s wife is Terry Saban, and they have been married for over 50 years.
The couple has two children, Nicholas and Kristen, both of whom were adopted.
Nicholas Saban Jr. is married to Kelse Laney, and they recently celebrated the birth of their first child, making Nick Saban a proud grandfather.
Kristen Saban is married to Adam Setas, and they have a child together.
The Saban family’s dedication to philanthropy is evident through their foundation, Nick’s Kids, which focuses on supporting children’s needs and has raised over $1 million to help children in various ways.
