Nick Saban on coaching through the end of his contract in 2030: 'I feel like a young man'

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Fresh off a new $93.6 million contract extension that runs through the 2030 season and makes him college football's highest-paid coach, Alabama's Nick Saban told ESPN on Thursday he plans on coaching for as long as the Crimson Tide will have him.

Saban, who turns 71 in October, has won six national championships at Alabama and said he's as committed as ever to adapting and evolving regardless of how much college football continues to change over the next few years.

«First of all, I feel like a young man, aight? So let's clear that up,» Saban said laughing. «The 71… is a number, just a number, and I still feel like they don't make 'em like they used to, but you have to be flexible. I think that's one of the most important things about competitive sports. You know, the game has changed. The 3-point shot changed basketball. So you either change with it or you fall behind.

»The no-huddle changed football, RPOs (run-pass-option plays) changed football. If you don't sort of study the game and know the impact of these things and use them to your advantage, you're going to just completely get bypassed by a lot of folks."

When asked if he would «still be here» throughout the remainder of his contract extension, Saban had a ready answer.

«Still alive?» he joked. «I sure plan to be here coaching.»

Entering his 16th season at Alabama, Saban said he and wife Terry and the rest of their family are «home.» And despite the constant turnover on his coaching staff and the way the sport has changed, Saban said the key to the Crimson Tide's sustained success has been that the culture within the program has remained unchanged.

«I heard it said that none of us are born winners and none of us are born losers. We're all born