Alabama gives 5 football assistants raises, changes Saban’s completion bonus schedule

Alabama raises pay for 5 assistants

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama has given pay raises to five assistant football coaches and extended contracts for coach Nick Saban’s entire staff through 2012.

University trustees approved the changes on Thursday and provided Saban with a term life insurance policy while changing how he receives his bonuses for remaining Alabama’s coach. Details of the insurance policy weren’t released.

Alabama will pay Saban bonuses of more than $500,000 annually for remaining as coach instead of making the payments to him every three years, with the first coming in 2011. The total amount of $5 million for the bonuses over several years didn’t change but, with the new arrangement, he will make $4.63 million this year instead of $4.1 million.

Saban received the first bonus of $533,333 on April 15, and subsequent payments will be made on Feb. 15 each year.

For the assistants, the biggest hikes of $50,000 went to offensive coordinator Jim McElwain and strength coach Scott Cochran. McElwain will make $410,000 and Cochran $210,000.

Offensive line coach Joe Pendry will make $425,000, up from $390,000; linebackers coach Sal Sunseri goes from $325,000 to $350,000 and tight ends coach Bobby Williams got a hike of $15,000 to $305,000.

In 2011, Pendry will make $450,000 and Cochran $225,000.

The national champions had already raised defensive coordinator Kirby Smart’s salary to $750,000.