College football is experiencing significant growth, particularly at the collegiate level. This is where numerous football talents are developed and prepared for professional careers. Prestigious universities often have excellent coaches with advanced degrees and extensive coaching credentials. Of course, this also comes with a lucrative compensation package. Below is the list of the Top 20 highest-paid college football coaches in 2025 according to the latest statistics from Wintips.
Highest-paid college football coaches
1. Nick Saban (University of Alabama – $11.41 million)
At the top of the highest-paid college football coaches list is Nick Saban, the head coach of the University of Alabama football team. During a few lackluster seasons, Nick Saban served as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, where he accumulated an overall record of 15-17 and earned nearly $5 million annually.
His tenure in Tuscaloosa, however, has been significantly more impressive and far more financially rewarding. Under Saban's leadership for sixteen seasons, the Crimson Tide have claimed eight SEC titles and six national championships. Saban has coached four Heisman Trophy winners, has won the Coach of the Year award nine times, and maintains an overall winning percentage of 88%.
2. Dabo Swinney (Clemson University – $10.88 million)
William Christopher "Dabo" Swinney has built an impressive career in college football, both as a player and a coach. His contract extension, which he signed in 2022, solidified his position as the head coach of the Clemson Tigers through the 2031 season.
Dabo Swinney played for the Alabama Crimson Tide as a wide receiver and contributed to the team's 1992 national championship victory. In 2008, he became the head coach of the Clemson Tigers, succeeding Tommy Bowden, who previously led the program. In 2016 and 2018, Swinney led the Tigers to national championships, and as of [current year], his overall record at Clemson stands at 165-43. His contract is valued at $115 million.
3. Kirby Smart (University of Georgia – $10.71 million)
The next name on the highest-paid college football coaches list is Kirby Smart, head coach of the University of Georgia football team. In 2015, Kirby Smart became the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, the team he once played for. Since taking over as head coach, the Bulldogs have lost just 15 games.
They won consecutive national championships in 2021 and 2022, and so far this year, they remain undefeated. Smart also recently secured an extremely lucrative multi-year contract. Last year, he signed a contract extension worth $112.5 million, keeping him under contract with the Bulldogs through 2031.
4. Ryan Day (Ohio State University – $10.27 million)
Ryan Day, the head football coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, is earning $10.27 million this year, indicating that his salary accounts for nearly 10% of the team's total revenue. Ohio State has performed very well during his tenure, but he has not yet led them to a national championship.
I'm not trying to single out Ryan here, but I want to emphasize just how fascinating college football coaching contracts can be. From 2010 to 2014, under Bruce Bochy, the San Francisco Giants won three World Series titles. Three championships! During that period, Bochy was making approximately $6 million per year.
5. Mel Tucker (Michigan State University – $10.02 million)
Mel Tucker is no longer the head coach of Michigan State. In September, Tucker was dismissed following reports that he had allegedly sexually harassed Brenda Tracy, a well-known advocate for sexual assault survivors and a survivor herself. Tucker had served as the head coach of Michigan State's football team since 2020.
In 2021, he signed a 10-year contract extension worth $95 million with Michigan State. By firing him for just cause, Michigan State will avoid paying him the remaining $80 million on his contract. Harlon Barnett became MSU's interim coach after Tucker's contract was terminated.
6. Lincoln Riley (University of Southern California – $10 million)
No. 6 on the highest-paid college football coaches list is USC head coach Lincoln Riley. Because USC is a private university, it is not obligated to disclose details about the salary and contract of its head football coach, Lincoln Riley. However, reports indicate that his contract is estimated to be worth $110 million over 10 years, making him one of the highest-paid college football coaches in the country.
Before joining USC, Riley was the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners, where he compiled a record of 55-10, making him the coach with the highest winning percentage in OU history. As of now, he has posted a record of 18-5 at USC, but his postseason success has been limited: He holds a 1-4 record in bowl games and is 0-3 in College Football Playoff appearances.
7. Brian Kelly (Louisiana – $9.9 million)
In 2021, Brian Kelly departed Notre Dame to take over as the head coach of the LSU Tigers, signing a 10-year contract worth $95 million. His base salary is $9.5 million per year, making him one of the highest-paid college football coaches in the country. However, his contract includes numerous bonuses and perks that could make the deal even more lucrative.
For example, for each appearance in the SEC Championship Game, Kelly receives a bonus of $75,000. If the Tigers win, that amount doubles to $150,000. For every year that Kelly remains the Tigers' head coach, he receives an additional $500,000, which is called a "longevity bonus." Additionally, if the Tigers play in a bowl game, Kelly earns another $500,000.
8. Jimbo Fisher (Texas A&M – $9.1 million)
In August 2021, Fisher signed a four-year extension, extending his tenure as head coach of the Aggies until 2031. Under this contract, his average annual salary is $9 million. Last year, his team performed poorly, but because he was still owed $86 million if he were fired mid-season, he managed to keep his job.
Although the university would still have to pay a staggering sum—$76 million—to fire him this year, his job security remains uncertain as the Aggies hold a mediocre 5-4 record and are no longer in the SEC and national title race.
9. Mark Stoops (University of Kentucky – $9 million)
Mark Stoops has been the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats since 2013, and in 2022, he signed a contract extension that will keep him in Lexington until 2030, under which he will earn $9 million annually.
The Wildcats won 7–6 last year. This year, however, they are 6–3, and overall, Stoops is the head coach with the most wins in school history.
10. Josh Heupel (University of Tennessee - $9 million)
With a salary ceiling of $9 million, Josh Heupel ranks 10th on the highest-paid college football coaches list. In Josh Heupel's first year at the University of Tennessee, his team finished with a 7–6 record and lost to Purdue in overtime.
Last year, the Volunteers finished with an 11-2 record and defeated Clemson to claim the Orange Bowl title. If Heupel continues this trend, extending his contract—raising his annual salary to approximately $9 million—would likely be regarded as a smart decision. And hey, that’s a competitive salary for an SEC head coach today.
11. Lane Kiffin (Mississippi - $9 Million)
Lane Kiffin recently completed his third season at Ole Miss, leading the Rebels to three consecutive bowl appearances during his tenure in Oxford. In his 11 years at the NCAA level, Kiffin boasts an 84–47 record, including a 23–13 mark at Ole Miss.
The Rebels once again ranked among the national leaders in several offensive categories in 2022. Ole Miss ranked 3rd nationally in total offense (likely measured in yards per game) and 8th in total touchdowns. Kiffin helped recruit and coach highly talented freshman running back Quinton Judkins. Judkins set Ole Miss’s single-season records in both rushing attempts (1,567) and rushing touchdowns (16).
12. James Franklin (Penn State – $8.5 million)
Franklin was born in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, on February 2, 1972, to James Oliver and Jocelyn "Josie" Franklin. He attended Neshaminy High School in Langhorne and enrolled at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, where he played as a quarterback for four years.
Franklin began his coaching career in 1995, coaching wide receivers at Pennsylvania's Kutztown University. Coach Franklin has also interned with several National Football League (NFL) teams, including the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, and Minnesota Vikings.
13. Jim Harbaugh (Michigan – $8.3 million)
James Joseph Harbaugh (born December 23, 1963) is an American football coach and former quarterback, currently serving as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. He previously served as the head coach at the University of Michigan from 2015 to 2023, the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014, Stanford University from 2007 to 2010, and the University of San Diego from 2004 to 2006.
Harbaugh played college football at Michigan from 1983 to 1986 before spending 14 seasons (1987–2000) in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Chicago Bears, where he had his longest tenure from 1987 to 1993. From 1994 to 2001, while still active in the NFL for most of that period, Harbaugh served as an unpaid assistant coach at Western Kentucky University, where his father, Jack, was the head coach.
14. Mario Cristobal (Miami – $8 million)
Coach Mario Cristobal ranks 14th on the list of highest-paid college football coaches. Mario Manuel Cristobal (born September 24, 1970) is the Cuban-American head coach of the Miami Hurricanes at the University of Miami. Cristobal previously served as the head coach at Florida International University (FIU) from 2007 to 2012 and at the University of Oregon from 2017 to 2021.
Cristobal's coaching career began at the University of Miami, where he worked as a graduate assistant to the head coach of the football team, Butch Davis, from 1998 to 2000. From 2001 to 2003, Cristobal was the offensive line coach and tight ends coach at Rutgers University under Greg Schiano. He returned to Miami to serve as an offensive coach under Larry Coker for three seasons from 2004 to 2006.
15. Luke Fickell (Wisconsin – $7.6 million)
Luke Joseph Fickell, born on August 18, 1973, is an American football coach and former player. He is the head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers. Previously, he served as the head football coach at the University of Cincinnati from 2016 to November 2022. Fickell played college football as a nose guard at Ohio State University from 1993 to 1996 and later served as an assistant coach for the Buckeyes.
In 2011, Fickell was appointed interim head coach in place of Jim Tressel, who received a five-game NCAA suspension due to a recruiting scandal. However, in May of that year, Tressel resigned, and Fickell signed a one-year contract to serve as interim coach for the 2011 season.
16. Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State – $7.6 million)
Michael Ray Gundy, born August 12, 1967, is an American football coach and former player. He is the head coach at Oklahoma State University. Gundy played college football at Oklahoma State, where he served as quarterback from 1986 to 1989. He became the head coach of Oklahoma State on January 3, 2005.
Gundy, along with Kyle Whittingham of the University of Utah, is currently one of the longest-tenured coaches in the FBS at a single school, second only to Kirk Ferentz. Gundy holds the record for the longest tenure in the Big 12 Conference.
17. Mike Norvell (Florida State – $7.3 million)
Coach Mike Norvell is the next name on our list of the highest-paid college football coaches. Michael Kelly Norvell, born on October 11, 1981, is an American college football coach and the head coach of Florida State University. He has coached at Memphis, Arizona State, Pittsburgh, Tulsa, and Central Arkansas.
Norvell played as a wide receiver at Central Arkansas from 2001 to 2005 and is the all-time leader in receptions for the school. On December 8, 2019, Florida State University officially announced Norvell as its head football coach. His contract was originally valued at $26.5 million for six years. On October 17, 2020, Norvell led the Seminoles to victory over North Carolina, becoming the first ACC coach to beat a Top 20 opponent in his first year.
18. Billy Napier (Florida – $7.3 million)
William "Billy" Napier (born July 21, 1979) is an American football coach serving as head coach at the University of Florida. From 2017 to 2021, he was the head coach at the University of Louisiana, achieving a 40–12 record in four seasons, with three consecutive 10-win seasons and two seasons finishing in the AP Poll, both of which were firsts in the program's history.
Before coaching at Louisiana, he served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Arizona State University in 2017. On November 28, 2021, Napier was named the 28th head football coach at the University of Florida, replacing Dan Mullen. He was officially introduced by Florida in a press conference on December 5, 2021.
19. Brent Venables (Oklahoma – $7 million)
Thomas Brent Venables (born December 18, 1970) is an American college football coach and the head coach at the University of Oklahoma, a position he has held since the 2022 season. Venables served as the associate head coach, defensive coordinator, and linebackers coach at Clemson University from 2012 to 2021. He was awarded the Broyles Award in 2016.
In 1993, Venables began his football coaching career at Kansas State as a graduate assistant. In 1996, Venables was promoted to quarterbacks coach and held that post until 1998. On December 5, 2021, Venables was named the 23rd head coach at the University of Oklahoma, replacing Lincoln Riley, who became the head coach at the University of Southern California (USC).
20. Kirk Ferentz (Iowa – $7 million)
The final coach on our list of the highest-paid college football coaches is Kirk Ferentz. Kirk James Ferentz (born August 1, 1955) is an American football coach. He is the head football coach at the University of Iowa, a position he has held since 1999.
From 1990 to 1992, Ferentz was the head football coach at the University of Maine. He was also an assistant coach for the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Ferentz played college football as a linebacker at the University of Connecticut from 1974 to 1976. Since 2017, he has been the FBS coach with the longest tenure at a single program. Ferentz is the all-time leader in wins at Iowa.
Conclusion
Above is the list of the 20 highest-paid college football coaches, last updated in 2025. Many talented coaches command incredibly high salaries that even players would envy. Of course, in return, they must invest their knowledge and effort in tactics, game-reading skills, and understanding of game analytics and strategy. Therefore, it's understandable why they command such large sums of money. Thank you for your interest in this article, and don't forget to visit the bookmaker legit website every day for more interesting updates.
