Alabama, in search of a new head coach after Nick Saban’s retirement, is ready to dig deep into its pockets for the right candidate. The buyout prices for their top five coaching candidates, as reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel, are eye-catching, ranging from $4 million to a whopping $20 million.
Leading the pack is Oregon’s head coach, Dan Lanning, whose buyout stands at an impressive $20 million, making him the costliest option on the list. Following closely is Kalen DeBoer, the national title game runner-up, with a $12 million buyout, marking the first of the eight-figure buyouts.
Dabo Swinney, a two-time national champion from Clemson and an Alabama alum, claims the third spot with a $7.5 million buyout. James Franklin, the head coach of Penn State, ranks fourth with a $6 million buyout, while Mike Norvell, the head coach of Florida State, rounds out the list with a $4 million buyout.
Buyouts for potential Alabama head coach candidates
Dan Lanning — $20 million
Kalen DeBoer — $12 million
Dabo Swinney — $7.5 million
James Franklin — $6 million
Mike Norvell — $4 million— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 10, 2024
Money doesn’t appear to be an issue for Alabama, as the university has the financial resources to secure the services of nearly any coach, regardless of the buyout cost.
The big question now is, who will Alabama choose as its next head coach, and how much are they willing to invest in securing the right candidate for the job? The answer to that question will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the future of Alabama football.