College football coaches are tasked with a 365-day-a-year job, managing every aspect of their program from recruiting to on-field success and so much more. As such, they’re compensated for their roles in building their institute of higher learning’s biggest money-making sport (for the most part) justly.
The list of the highest-paid college football coaches see staggering figures and come from all corners of the country.
Highest-Paid College Football Coaches
The list below highlights the highest-paid college football coaches at the FBS level. The figures come from a USAToday study.
While mostly accurate, it should be noted that public schools are required to disclose their figures in some capacity but private institutes (think Notre Dame) are not. You will likely not see a private institute’s coach unless that contract has been made public.
1) Nick Saban, Alabama
Value: $11,407,000
Expand for details on Nick Saban’s contract and salary with the Alabama Crimson Tide.
2) Dabo Swinney, Clemson
Value: $10,884,775
Dabo Swinney signed a 10-year contract through 2031. Click here for full details on Swinney’s contract with the Clemson Tigers.
3) Kirby Smart, Georgia
Value: $10,705,600
For full details, find Kirby Smart’s contract, salary, and net worth at Georgia.
4) Ryan Day, Ohio State
Value: $10,271,250
Ryan Day’s contract at Ohio State includes a $9.5M base salary.
5) Mel Tucker, Michigan State
Value: $10,015,350*
Mel Tucker was fired with cause and the Michigan State Athletics Department found a way out his guaranteed contract. CFN went in-depth on both Tucker’s firing and his previous contract details.
6) Brian Kelly, LSU
Value: $9,975,000
Find full details here on Brian Kelly’s lucrative contract with the LSU Tigers.
7) Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M
Value: $9,150,000
Famously jettisoning FSU for Texas A&M, Jimbo Fisher’s contract details are quite unique.
8) Mark Stoops, Kentucky
Value: $9,013,600
Expand for details on Mark Stoops’ contract and salary at Kentucky.
T9) Josh Heupel, Tennessee
Value: $9,000,000
The contract and salary for Josh Heupel at Tennessee certainly are eye-opening.
T9) Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss
Value: $9,000,000
Lane Kiffin’s salary, contract, and net worth at Ole Miss are tied into success on the field.
11) James Franklin, Penn State
Value: $8,500,000
Find full details here on James Franklin’s contract with the Penn State Nittany Lions.
12) Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
Value: $8,254,600
Jim Harbaugh’s contract with the Michigan Wolverines has a unique fixed base salary.
T13) Luke Fickell, Wisconsin
Value: $7,625,000
Leaving Cincinnati for Wisconsin, Luke Fickell’s contract was surely a big reason for the jump.
T13) Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State
Value: $7,625,000
The second-longest-tenured coach in major college football, Mike Gundy’s contract at Oklahoma State has certainly been earned.
15) Mike Norvell, Florida State
Value: $7,300,000
Over the past few seasons, Mike Norvell has certainly earned his contract at FSU.
16) Billy Napier, Florida
Value: $7,270,000
Billy Napier’s contract could be a big reason why he left Louisiana for the Swamp.
17) Brent Venables, Oklahoma
Value: $7,100,000
Find full details here on Brent Venables’ contract with the Oklahoma Sooners.
18) Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
Value: $7,000,000
An institute in the state of Iowa, Kirk Ferentz and his contract are the longest-tenured college football head coach.
19) Dan Lanning, Oregon
Value: $6,624,000
Expand for details on Dan Lanning’s contract and salary at Oregon.
T20) Hugh Freeze, Auburn
Value: $6,500,000
Jumping from Liberty to Auburn, Hugh Freeze’s contract with the Tigers certainly played a part.
T20) Bret Bielema, Illinois
Value: $6,500,000
Find full details here on Bret Bielema’s contract and salary at Illinois.
22) Sam Pittman, Arkansas
Value: $6,357,000
Turning the Arkansas program around, Sam Pittman’s contract indicates that success.
23) Kyle Whittingham, Utah
Value: $6,325,000
His continued success has certainly justified one of the longest-tenured coaches, Kyle Whittingham’s contract at Utah.
24) Shane Beamer, South Carolina
Value: $6,125,000
A college football family, Shame Beamer’s contract at South Carolina has proven worth it with the Gamecocks’ resurgence.
T25) Eliah Drinkwitz, Missouri
Value: $6,000,000
Eliah Drinkwtiz has built an impressive team on the Missouri coaching staff, and his turnaround has justified his contract.
T25) P.J. Fleck, Minnesota
Value: $6,000,000
A polarizing figure, P.J. Fleck’s contract indicates the type of success the Gophers have become used to seeing from Rowing The Boat.