Top 25 Highest Paid CFB Coaches

[HeismaNole]

Rank	Coach	School	Total Pay	Conf.	School Pay	Maximum Bonus	Bonuses Paid (2023-24)	School Buyout as of 12/1/2024
1	Kirby Smart	Georgia	$13,282,580	SEC	$13,003,000	$1,775,000	$275,000	$118,083,333
2	Dabo Swinney	Clemson	$11,132,775*	ACC	$11,008,575	$1,500,000	$175,000	$60,000,000
3	Steve Sarkisian	Texas	$10,600,000*	SEC	$10,600,000	$1,850,000	$300,000	$55,044,583
4	Lincoln Riley	USC	$10,043,418*	Big 10	$10,043,418	-	-	-
5	Ryan Day	Ohio State	$10,021,250	Big 10	$9,946,250	$1,550,000	$250,000	$37,276,042
6	Mike Norvell	Florida State	$10,000,000	ACC	$10,000,000	$1,550,000	$750,000	$63,778,333
7	Kalen DeBoer	Alabama	$10,000,000*	SEC	$10,000,000	$1,175,000	-	$70,050,000
8	Brian Kelly	LSU	$9,975,000*	SEC	$9,975,000	$1,325,000	$100,000	$61,738,333
9	Mark Stoops	Kentucky	$9,013,600*	SEC	$9,000,000	$3,550,000	$200,000	$44,437,500
10	Lane Kiffin	Ole Miss	$9,000,000*	SEC	$9,000,000	$2,600,000	$800,000	$36,590,000
11	Eliah Drinkwitz	Missouri	$9,000,000	SEC	$9,000,000	$1,300,000	$425,000	$28,312,500
12	Josh Heupel	Tennessee	$9,000,000	SEC	$9,000,000	$1,700,000	$200,000	$37,500,000
13	James Franklin	Penn State	$8,500,000*	Big 10	$8,500,000	$1,400,000	$300,000	$56,666,667
14	Dan Lanning	Oregon	$8,200,000	Big 10	$8,200,000	$1,875,000	$450,000	$45,366,667
15	Brent Venables	Oklahoma	$8,152,000	SEC	$8,150,000	$1,385,000	$25,000	$44,808,333
16	Mario Cristobal	Miami (FL)	$7,783,059*	ACC	$7,783,059	-	-	-
17	Mike Gundy	Oklahoma State	$7,750,000*	Big 12	$7,750,000	$1,000,000	$125,000	$25,359,375
18	Luke Fickell	Wisconsin	$7,725,000	Big 10	$7,725,000	$1,450,000	$0	$40,186,667
19	Jedd Fisch	Washington	$7,700,023*	Big 10	$7,700,023	$1,550,000	-	$40,239,960
20	Lance Leipold	Kansas	$7,500,000*	Big 12	$7,500,000	$1,125,000	$275,000	$27,800,000
21	Billy Napier	Florida	$7,370,000	SEC	$7,120,000	$1,600,000	$100,000	$26,704,167
22	Jonathan Smith	Michigan State	$7,250,000*	Big 10	$7,250,000	$1,785,000	-	$39,787,083
23	Kirk Ferentz	Iowa	$7,000,000*	Big 10	$7,000,000	$2,500,000	$575,000	$31,000,000
24	Mike Elko	Texas A&M	$7,000,000*	SEC	$7,000,000	$3,800,000	-	$27,124,985
25	Hugh Freeze	Auburn	$6,728,100	SEC	$6,725,000	$3,300,000	$300,000	$20,312,500

 

[HeismaNole]

Stoops is making more than the coach of the No. 1 team in America, Tennessee's Heupel, and Penn State's Franklin, who all are in the playoff.

 

[gamecockcat]

You could make the argument that Riley at USC and Norvell at FSU are more overpaid than Stoops, especially when you consider the tradition, homegrown recruiting, booster support, etc. Unfortunately, that's about it. Of course, 4 or 5 years ago, you probably could've made the argument that Stoops was among the most UNDERPAID. The past 3 years, though, have seen us slide backward dramatically.

I'm sure both Ohio State and LSU fans feel their guy is overpaid but, from the 30k view, not so much. Still pretty mind boggling that a college football coach makes millions. And the assistants, especially the coordinators, typically make close to $2M at many of these schools. Crazy money being thrown around.

 

[HeismaNole]

You could make the argument that Riley at USC and Norvell at FSU are more overpaid than Stoops, especially when you consider the tradition, homegrown recruiting, booster support, etc. Unfortunately, that's about it. Of course, 4 or 5 years ago, you probably could've made the argument that Stoops was among the most UNDERPAID. The past 3 years, though, have seen us slide backward dramatically.

I'm sure both Ohio State and LSU fans feel their guy is overpaid but, from the 30k view, not so much. Still pretty mind boggling that a college football coach makes millions. And the assistants, especially the coordinators, typically make close to $2M at many of these schools. Crazy money being thrown around.

Have Riley and Norvell underperformed at their school? Yeah, but their history is better than Stoops'. Riley has a 80-24 record, three 12 win seasons, an 11 win season, three playoff appearances, and two Heisman winners.

Norvell had the undefeated season last year and the one loss season at Memphis. Definitely overpaid though.

Stoops is definitely the least success in the top 10. I'd say top 14, really. Paying over $9M a year to never get a NY6 bowl or win a division is crazy.

 

[gamecockcat]

Have Riley and Norvell underperformed at their school? Yeah, but their history is better than Stoops'. Riley has a 80-24 record, three 12 win seasons, an 11 win season, three playoff appearances, and two Heisman winners.

Norvell had the undefeated season last year and the one loss season at Memphis. Definitely overpaid though.

Stoops is definitely the least success in the top 10. I'd say top 14, really. Paying over $9M a year to never get a NY6 bowl or win a division is crazy.

I was speaking specifically about this year. Riley's tenure at USC has not gone like they expected. A lot of preseason hype but a lot more losses than $10m ought to absorb.

Of course, Norvell had a great team last year but NOBODY foresaw 2-10 this year, an historically bad turnaround in just one year. If he turns it around next year, then he may not be overpaid.

I think you also have to look at the relative programs. USC and FSU have both won multiple NCs and, in general, are known to have great opportunities to be a top 10 team every year with booster support, tons of great athletes in their backyard, strong tradition, etc. You cannot say the same about UK FB. Yes, the past 3 years, Stoops has been overpaid for the results. But, has he missed expectations more than Riley and Norvell this year? I think an argument could be made either way. USC was predicted to be in the hunt for a playoff berth as was FSU. UK was predicted to be 6-6 or maybe 7-5. Pretty significant difference to me.

 

[kywildcat41035]

#9 highest paid in College Football what an absolute JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[megablue]

You do not always get what you're paying for ...
Smart's buyout is UFB !!!

 

[24Catman]

Who knew Cookie Monster was referring to Stoops….

One of these things is not like the others,
One of these things just doesn't belong,
Can you tell which thing is not like the others
By the time I finish my song?

 

[rick64]

So I wonder what Belichick will make if UNCHEAT hires him?

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

You do not always get what you're paying for ...
Smart's buyout is UFB !!!

It's crazy high. My guess is because everyone knew Saban was nearing retirement and the huge buyout was to discourage them from coming after Kirby.

 

[BlueTick2]

The real tragedy is the highest paid employees are not teachers, professors, or administrators.
Shows how much educators and educations are valued. 😒

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Stoops definitely sticks out. UK could get Sumrall for half his salary probably. If a coach actually wins something that matters (makes sec title game, playoff, etc) then you bump them up. No crazy long term extensions or buyouts though.

 

[Cat06]

You could make the argument that Riley at USC and Norvell at FSU are more overpaid than Stoops, especially when you consider the tradition, homegrown recruiting, booster support, etc. Unfortunately, that's about it. Of course, 4 or 5 years ago, you probably could've made the argument that Stoops was among the most UNDERPAID. The past 3 years, though, have seen us slide backward dramatically.

I'm sure both Ohio State and LSU fans feel their guy is overpaid but, from the 30k view, not so much. Still pretty mind boggling that a college football coach makes millions. And the assistants, especially the coordinators, typically make close to $2M at many of these schools. Crazy money being thrown around.

Except we are not paying those other salaries.

 

[HeismaNole]

Stoops definitely sticks out. UK could get Sumrall for half his salary probably. If a coach actually wins something that matters (makes sec title game, playoff, etc) then you bump them up. No crazy long term extensions or buyouts though.

I'm more amazed at the names of the schools who spend less on a coach than we do.

Like Auburn, Oklahoma, Florida, TAMU (in addition to the ones I mentioned above) paying millions less than UK.