In this era of massive NIL deals seemingly deciding player transfers and player revenue sharing surely on the horizon, paying premium salaries for a coach still appears to be the best path to a national title, as the top 10 highest-earners in the sport have won a combined seven national championships among them.
With Todd Golden’s new contract extension, which will keep him as head coach of Florida through the 2030-31 season, let’s look at the other highest-paid coaches. Who made the top five?
Highest-Paid College Basketball Coaches (Salary Per Year)
Bill Self, Kansas — $8.8 Million/Year
Bill Self is the highest-paid college basketball coach, with an $8.8 million salary in 2025. In 2023, Self signed a lifetime contract with Kansas that pays him $53 million over the first five years, the richest deal in history for a college basketball coach at a public university.
It can’t be argued that Self doesn’t deserve the huge contract. He’s taken Kansas to four Final Fours and won two national championships (2008 and 2002). In November, he became the winningest coach in Kansas history, surpassing Hall-of-Famer Phog Allen.
John Calipari, Arkansas — $8 Million/Year
John Calipari is second on this list, making $8 million at Arkansas this year. He signed a five-year contract in April that starts at $7 million per season, with a $1 million signing bonus.
Calipari has reached the Final Four with three different schools (UMass, Memphis, and Kentucky) and won a national championship with the Wildcats in 2012, solidifying his status as a seasoned coach. He made $8.5 million in his last year with Kentucky before stepping down and subsequently signing with Arkansas.
Dan Hurley, UConn — $7.78 Million/Year
Dan Hurley is responsible for turning around UConn’s fortune and is considered one of the greatest college basketball coaches.
It is only right that he’s one of the highest earners, and he made $7.78 million this season. In July, he signed a six-year, $50 million contract to stay with UConn after rejecting the offer to coach the Los Angeles Lakers.
Hurley won back-to-back national titles in 2023 and 2024 with UConn.
Todd Golden, Florida — $6.75 Million/Year
Todd Golden won a national championship in 2025, his third season with Florida, and was rewarded accordingly. In May, he signed a six-year, $40.5 million extension to become the fourth-highest-paid coach in college basketball.
KEEP READING: Todd Golden Among ‘Highest Paid’ Coaches After New Deal
The 39-year-old has risen quickly through the coaching ranks since becoming the leading man at San Francisco at just 33 years old. He led the Dons to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 24 years before going to Florida and returning the Gators to the pinnacle of college basketball.
Tom Izzo, Michigan State — $6.2 Million/Year
Tom Izzo has been the head coach at Michigan State since 1995. He’s led the program to four Final Fours and a national championship in 2000. Izzo has been one of the highest-paid coaches for years and will earn $6.2 million in 2025. He signed a “Spartan for Life” contract in 2022 that extends automatically at the end of each season and pays him roughly $6.2 million annually.
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