'...[N]ext month, the U.S. House Ways and Means committee will discuss college athletic programs and whether their millions should remain tax exempt. At the center of all the controversy is [Alabama Coach Nick] Saban’s paycheck.

As Alabama football prepares to launch into a new era, the Crimson Tide's $4 million man is at the center of a financial-- and some might say ethical -- controversy.

“When you hear about a coach making $4 million a year at a public university -- that gets attention,” said UA Mass Communications professor Dr. Johnny Sparks.

But many experts are warning that Saban is catching the heat for an issue that's been growing for years: the increasing amount of money pumped into collegiate sports through TV contracts and high dollar advertisers. [No, he's catching the heat for his greed. There's no connection between these trends and his insistence on making $4 million a year.]

"It's been a continuing trend for more than a decade. Only now has it broken through public consciousness because of Nick Saban and his salary,” said UA PR and Advertising professor Dr. Lance Kinney.

..."I've been anxious to end the hoopla for a long time. I think the focus should be on the team and not on me,” said Saban.' [Look away, Dixie Land! Nothing to see here! Just because my salary uses up nine percent of the football budget, that's no reason for you to keep staring at it...]