Saban negotiating contract extension at Alabama

    TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Alabama is reportedly negotiating a
contract extension with football coach Nick Saban.
    The Birmingham News reported Thursday that the talks are in the
preliminary phase and are focused more on increasing the length of
Saban’s deal than on a big pay raise.
    The newspaper cited unnamed sources.
    Saban led the Crimson Tide to a 12-0 regular season in his
second year, including a 36-0 victory over Auburn.
    An Alabama spokesman could not immediately be reached for
comment.
    Saban has six years left on an eight-year, $32 million deal that
made him the highest paid coach at a public institution at his
hiring.
    Saban is set to make $3.9 million in salary this season.