Coaches are some of the wealthiest individuals in the sport, battling it out in the NCAA Tournament. USA Today’s latest salary data, supplemented by recent updates, reveals the top earners for the 2024-25 season. Bill Self and John Calipari lead the pack, with salaries approaching $10 million.
Who Are the Highest-Paid Men’s Basketball Coaches?
Kansas’ Self and Arkansas’ Calipari top the pay scale in men’s college basketball. The rest of the list earns between $7.75 million and $5.25 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 remains the highest earner, thanks to a reworked lifetime deal with Kansas in 2023. He pocketed over $8.8 million this year, with a buyout of $23.1 million. Self led the Jayhawks to a 2022 national title, but recent second-round exits signal a dip. This year’s No. 7 seed was Kansas’s lowest under his tenure.
2. John Calipari, Arkansas
- Salary: $8,000,000
Calipari left Kentucky for Arkansas this offseason, signing a five-year deal through 2029. His base pay is $500,000, with $6.5 million in additional compensation, totaling $8 million annually, plus potential bonuses. He quickly turned Arkansas around, earning a No. 10 seed after the Razorbacks missed last year’s tournament.
3. Dan Hurley, UConn
- Salary: $7,775,000
Hurley’s back-to-back national titles in 2023 and 2024 secured his UConn contract through 2028-29. The Huskies posted a 68-11 record over the past two seasons. This year, they went 23-10, earning a No. 8 seed—the lowest in their five-year tournament streak. Hurley’s pay reflects his elite status.
4. Todd Golden, Florida
- Salary: $6,750,000
Golden’s new six-year deal, signed in 2024, makes him the fourth-highest-paid coach. Earning $6.75 million annually, he received a $500,000 signing bonus. Florida’s 24-12 record last season and a No. 7 seed this year show his impact. His rapid rise hints at Florida’s investment in a promising young coach.
5. Tom Izzo, Michigan State
- Salary: $6,200,000
Izzo’s 2022 “Spartan for Life” contract keeps him in East Lansing. If he retires, he’ll transition to a special advisor role at $6.2 million for the first year, then $750,000 annually. At 70, Izzo’s not slowing down. Michigan State’s No. 2 seed this year was its best since 2018-19.
6. Mick Cronin, UCLA
- Salary: $6,100,000
Cronin’s six-year extension from 2022 runs through 2027-28, with performance bonuses. He led UCLA to the 2021 Final Four and two Sweet 16s. After a 16-17 season in 2023-24 kept them out of March Madness, they returned as a No. 7 seed this year.
7. Bruce Pearl, Auburn
- Salary: $6,000,000
Pearl’s 2022 eight-year extension started at $5.4 million, increasing $250,000 yearly. Auburn’s No. 1 overall seed this season justifies the investment. Pearl delivered the Tigers’ first Final Four in 2019 and continues to elevate the program.
8. Rick Barnes, Tennessee
- Salary: $5,800,000
Barnes signed a four-year extension before 2023-24, averaging $5.88 million annually, peaking at $6 million in the final two years. He’s driven Tennessee to three Sweet 16s and an Elite Eight last season, cementing his value.
9. Scott Drew, Baylor
- Salary: $5,410,061
Drew nearly joined Kentucky last offseason but stayed in Waco. In 22 years, he’s delivered three Elite Eights and a national title. Baylor’s five straight tournament appearances continued with a No. 9 seed this year, down from recent No. 1 and No. 3 seeds.
10. Tommy Lloyd, Arizona
- Salary: $5,250,000
Lloyd’s February 2024 contract ties him to Arizona through 2028-29. He earns $5.25 million now, rising to $6 million later. The Wildcats have made the tournament all four years under him, with two Sweet 16s. A 22-12 season earned a No. 4 seed despite 10 losses in 2025.
KEEP READING: Top 5 Best Moments From the 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament You Need To Relive
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