Coaches are some of the wealthiest individuals in the sport, are battling it out in the NCAA Tournament. USA Today’s latest salary data reveals the top earners for the 2024-25 season. Bill Self and John Calipari are at the top of the list. Both of them get almost a $10 million salary!
Who Are the Highest-Paid Men’s Basketball Coaches?
Kansas’ Self and Arkansas’ Calipari are the leaders in the pay scale of men’s college basketball. Other than them, the rest of the entries in the list get salaries in the range of a whopping $7 million to $5 million, giving us another hint at the ever-expanding scope of the sport.
However, you can expect some shifts in this list as the season moves on, as big programs hunt for new head coaches and offer more lucrative salaries to keep their veterans from switching boats.
1. Bill Self, Kansas
- Salary: $8,803,800
Self sits atop the earnings heap thanks to a reworked lifetime deal with Kansas in 2023. He pocketed over $8.8 million this year. His buyout offer was a staggering $23.1 million. Self guided the Jayhawks to a 2022 national title, but recent second-round exits hint towards a dip. This year’s No. 7 seed marks Kansas’s lowest under his watch.
2. John Calipari, Arkansas
- Salary: $8,000,000
Calipari swapped Kentucky for Arkansas this offseason, landing a five-year deal through 2029. His base pay is $500,000, boosted by $6.5 million in additional compensation. That totals $7 million annually, with bonuses possible. He turned Arkansas around fast, securing a No. 10 seed after the Razorbacks missed last year’s tournament.
3. Dan Hurley, UConn
- Salary: $7,775,000
Dan Hurley’s back-to-back national titles in 2023 and 2024 locked him into UConn through 2028-29. The Huskies boast a 68-11 record over the past two seasons. This year, they slipped to 23-10 and a No. 8 seed, the lowest in their five-year tournament streak. Still, Hurley’s paycheck reflects his status as a top-tier coach.
4. Tom Izzo, Michigan State
- Salary: $6,196,879
Tom Izzo’s “Spartan for Life” contract, signed in 2022, keeps him in East Lansing. Retire, and he’ll shift to a special advisor role at full pay—$6.2 million—for Year 1, then $750,000 annually after. At 70, he’s not slowing down. Michigan State’s No. 2 seed was its best since 2018-19.
5. Mick Cronin, UCLA
- Salary: $6,100,000
Mick Cronin’s six-year extension from 2022 runs through 2027-28, packed with performance bonuses. He took UCLA to the 2021 Final Four and two Sweet 16s after that. A rough 16-17 season in 2023-24 kept them out of March Madness, but they returned as a No. 7 seed this year.
6. Bruce Pearl, Auburn
- Salary: $5,958,852
Bruce Pearl’s 2022 eight-year extension started at $5.4 million, climbing $250,000 yearly. This season, Auburn’s No. 1 overall seed proves its money well spent. Pearl delivered the Tigers’ first Final Four in 2019.
7. Rick Barnes, Tennessee
- Salary: $5,800,000
Rick Barnes inked a four-year extension before 2023-24, averaging $5.88 million annually. It peaks at $6 million in the last two years. He’s pushed Tennessee to three Sweet 16s and an Elite Eight last season.
8. Scott Drew, Baylor
- Salary: $5,410,061
Scott Drew nearly left for Kentucky last offseason but stayed in Waco. In 22 years, he’s delivered three Elite Eights and a national title. Baylor’s made five straight tournaments. This year’s No. 9 seed is a step down from recent No. 1 and No. 3 seeds.
9. Tommy Lloyd, Arizona
- Salary: $5,250,000
Tommy Lloyd’s February 2024 deal ties him to Arizona through 2028-29. He earns $5.25 million now, rising to $6 million later. The Wildcats have hit the tournament all four years under him, with two Sweet 16s. A 22-12 season landed them a No. 4 seed despite 10 losses in 2025.
10. Nate Oats, Alabama
- Salary: $5,018,045
Nate Oats got a raise and extension last offseason, binding him to Alabama through 2029-30. He makes just over $5 million this year, scaling to $7.55 million by the end.
KEEP READING: Top 5 Best Moments From the 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament You Need To Relive
After reaching the Final Four last season, he led the Crimson Tide to No. 2. It was their fifth straight tournament appearance.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
