Who is the highest paid coach in college football? There’s more money than ever invested in college football, with programs operating with historic NIL and staff budgets for football. As a result, the salaries for the highest-paid college football coaches in 2024 have exploded.
Of course, the 2024 season is unique. This is the first time in the editor of our list of the highest-paid college football coaches that Nick Saban isn’t on it. He’s been replaced by Kalen DeBoer. One important thing to keep in mind when examining the highest-paid college football coaches is that many of them in recent years (Mel Tucker and Jimbo Fisher) have been fired with others likely joining them in the years to come.
Here are the highest paid college football coaches entering the 2024 season.
10 Highest paid college football coaches in 2024
10. Mark Stoops, Kentucky Wildcats – $9 million
When Texas A&M came calling, Mark Stoops took advantage. The Kentucky Wildcats knew they couldn’t afford to lose Stoops. After all, he is the program’s all-time leader in wins (73) and is just one of six head coaches in team history with a winning record across three-plus seasons. Stoop’s Wildcats have earned a bowl game appearance in eight consecutive years and Kentucky has ranked in each of the past four seasons. While Kentucky will likely never be a consistent top-15 program, Stoops did enough to warrant becoming one of the highest-paid college football coaches in 2024.
- Mark Stoops contract: $9 million annually through 2031
Related: Heisman Watch 2024
9. Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss Rebels – $9 million
Lane Kiffin quickly turned the Ole Miss Rebels into a legitimate threat in the Southeastern Conference. Entering the 2024 season, Mississippi is 34-15 under Kiffin with a pair of seasons with double-digit wins in the last three years. Coming off an 11-2 campaign, which saw Ole Miss finish 9th in the college football rankings, the Rebels are now poised to be a College Football Playoff contender in 2024. Considering the success Kiffin is having with the transfer portal and recruiting, Mississippi could be his long-term home.
- Lane Kiffin contract: $9 million average annual value over 8 seasons
Related: Best college football teams ever
8. Brian Kelly, LSU Tigers – $9.5 million
The LSU Tigers coaching search is probably one of the most expensive in college football history. LSU paid Ed Orgeron a $17 million buyout then immediately poached Brian Kelly from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish with a $95 million deal. Kelly immediately delivered consecutive seasons with 10 wins, including back-to-back years with bowl wins. Of course, LSU primarily hired the well-known coach to bring home a national championship. There’s a good chance of the Tigers making it into the College Football Playoff, but winning a national title seems unlikely in the next two years. With that said, consistency is a hallmark of the highest-paid college football coaches and Kelly provides it.
- Brian Kelly contract: $9.5 million AAV, $95 million over 10 years, $500,000 bonus for every year as HC
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7. Mike Norvell, Florida state Seminoles – $10 million
The Florida State Seminoles rightfully rewarded Mike Norvell as if he led the team to the College Football Playoff. Of course, the extension was also arranged to prevent him from leaving for another program. Norvell’s extension carries through 2031 and makes him one of the highest-paid college football coaches in 2024. Norvell received an average annual salary ($10 million) that matches his peers, receiving an annual $150,000 raise, but it does also require him to pay $6 million if he leaves Florida State this year or $4 million in 2025. Considering he’s delivered a 23-4 record in the last two seasons, he’s worth the price.
- Mike Norvell contract: $9.875 million base salary in 2024, $10.835 million salary in 2031.
Related: Heisman Trophy winners
6. Lincoln Riley, USC Trojans – $10 million salary (estimated)
One of the highest paid coaches in college football since he landed the job, everything with the Lincoln Riley contract is unique. Because the University of Southern California is a private institution, the USC Trojans football program doesn’t have to reveal Riley’s salary. However, it’s widely believed to be at least $10 million annually. At the very least, he’s getting paid enough money to buy a $17.2 million mansion. The results entering the 2024 season – 19-8 record – are underwhelming, but that might say more about how far behind USC is on the NIL front. At the very least, the Trojans are finally inventing more on the defensive side which should help the school get more bang for its buck. Just don’t expect USC in the CFP anytime soon.
Related: College Football schedule 2024
5. Kalen DeBoer, Alabama Crimson Tide – $10 million salary
After turning the Washington Huskies into a college football power with one of the best offenses in the Modern Era, Kalen DeBoer rolled the dice as the coach to replace Nick Saban. No one will ever replicate Saban’s accomplishments with the Alabama Crimson Tide, but DeBoer has won everywhere he’s been and his offenses are electric. Alabama might no longer be the clear-cut best team in college football, but DeBoer is an outstanding coach who should have the Crimson Tide in the layoffs almost every season he is around.
- Kalen DeBoer coaching record: 37-9 overall
Related: College Football standings
4. Ryan Day, Ohio State Buckeyes – $10.271 million salary
While plenty of Ohio State Buckeyes fans wanted to shove Ryan Day out of town for the losses to Michigan, one of the highest-paid college football coaches isn’t getting taken out that easily. Besides, Day is an excellent coach who has delivered four double-digit win seasons in the last five years. The lone outlier over that span, was the COVID-shortened 2020 season when Ohio State lost in the national championship game. A 56-8 record in six years with the Buckeyes roster now stronger than ever. if Ohio State doesn’t beat Michigan and reach the CFP National Championship Game this year, there’s a strong argument for Day to be fired. Otherwise, one of the best coaches in the sport deserves to stick around.
- Ryan Day contract: $250,000 annual retention bonus, $10.2 million salary in 2024. Under contract through 2028
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3. Steve Sarkisian, Texas Longhorns – $10.3 million salary
Steve Sarkisian is making the most of his second chance as a head coach. It finally came together in 2023, with the Texas Longhorns finally being “back” as one of the best teams in college football. Of course, the Longhorns suffered an ugly playoff loss to Washington but a loaded roster paired with Sarkisian’s mind and improved head-coaching skills should easily have Texas back in the CFP again this season. Texas really doesn’t have any reason to fear Sarkisian leaving for another job, so the goal now is to just keep investing money in NIL and player development. When you bring Texas back, you’ve earned the right to be one of the highest-paid college football coaches and the Longhorns’ boosters will make sure Sarkisian keeps getting paid his worth.
Related: Texas Football schedule 2024
2. Dabo Swinney, Clemson Tigers – $11 million salary
Dabo Swinney remains one of the highest-paid coaches in all of sports with the Clemson Tigers last extending his contract in 2022. However, the results haven’t necessarily reflected the salary in recent seasons. Clemson went 9-4 in 2023, its first season with single-digit wins since 2010. The Tigers also have 12 losses in the last four seasons (2020-’23), which surpasses the loss total (five) from 2015-’19. It would be foolish for Clemson to risk a massive setback by firing Swinney, but it seems evident right now that the Tigers’ ceiling as a football program is no longer a national championship hopeful.
- Dabo Swinney contract: $115 million over 10 years
Related: Highest-paid college football players 2024
1. Kirby Smart, Georgia Bulldogs – $13 million salary
Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart is the highest-paid college football coach in 2024. In his first eight seasons at Georgia, Smart is 94-16 with three CFP National Championship Game appearances and two titles. In his first eight seasons at Alabama, Saban went 91-17 with three BCS titles. Smart is worth every penny he is paid. In large part because of him, Georgia is the new golden standard of college football. Whether it happens this season or in a few years, the Bulldogs will likely win another national championship.
Related: College Football Defense Rankings 2024
College Football Coach salaries 2024
Here are some other notable salaries for some of the other highest-paid coaches in college football right now.
- Josh Heupel salary (Tennessee): $9 million
- Eli Drinkwitz salary (Missouri): $9 million
- James Franklin salary (Penn State): $8.5 million
- Brent Venables salary (Oklahoma): $8.15 million
- Mario Cristobal salary (Miami): $8 million
- Mike Gundy salary (Oklahoma State): $7.75 million
- Billy Napier salary (Florida): $7.27 million
- Dan Lanning salary (Oregon): $7 million
- Mike Elko salary (Texas A&M): $7 million
- Deion Sanders salary (Colorado): $5.7 million
Who are the highest-paid college football coaches?
Kirby Smart (Georgia Bulldogs), Dabo Swinney Clemson Tigers), Steve Sarkisian (Texas Longhorns), Ryan Day (Ohio State Buckeyes) and Kalen DeBoer (Alabama Crimson Tide) are the highest-paid college football coaches right now.
Also Read: NFL defense rankings 2024
Who is the highest-paid coach in college history?
Nick Saban is the highest-paid coach in college football history, having earned approximately $150 million during his legendary career as a head coach.
Also Read: Top 100 NFL players 2024
What is Deion Sanders salary?
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders makes $5.7 million in 2024. He signed a five-year contract with Colorado worth $29.5 million, not including reachable incentives and bonuses in his contract. By the end of his contract, Sanders will be making more than $6 million per year.
How much money do college football coaches make?
The average salary for college football coaches varies by the level of competition, conference and the state of the team. It was found that the average college football coach’s compensation in 2022 was $1.75 million.
Who is the highest paid assistant coach in college football?
Michigan Wolverines defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is the highest-paid assistant coach in college football, earning a $2.3 million salary this season with a $2.5 million salary in 2025 followed by a $2.7 million salary in 2025 from Michigan.
How many college football coaches are the highest paid state employees?
A majority of college football coaches for the top programs in the nation are the highest-paid state employees. Research found that more than 60 percent of the highest-paid coaches in college football are also the highest-paid state employees.