Even though we are currently in the 2020s, college football has been popular since its humble beginnings, which many believe began in the 1980s. Surprisingly, at that time, the best coaches earned around $200,000 per year. Since then, we’ve passed four decades — and guess what? Their salaries have increased nearly 50 times!
Yes, you heard that right. In today’s college football world, the highest-paid coaches earn around $10 million annually. We’ve gathered 10 names who are currently making this massive amount each year. But remember, being one of the highest paid doesn’t always guarantee job security. Still, these coaches are considered the elite of the sport.
If you’re curious to know who they are, here’s our ranking of the top 10 highest-paid college football coaches in 2025.
#10. Mario Cristobal salary: $7.7 million (Miami)
Annual Salary: $7.7 million
Total Contract Value: $80 million over 10 years (signed in 2021)
Mario Cristobal is now one of the highest-paid college football coaches in 2025, earning $7.7 million annually as head coach of the Miami Hurricanes. With a 10-year, $80 million contract, he has positioned himself at number 10 on our list.
Hurricanes Head Coach Mario Cristobal went on @espn to make their case for the @CFBPlayoff.
— Mike Cugno (@MikeCugnoCBS4) December 3, 2024
"Miami winning 10 (games) is certainly stronger than teams winning 9 games."
He also notes Miami's no. 1 offense and top 24 defense. @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/cW3FSZdqIk
Born and raised in Miami, Cristobal played as an offensive tackle for the Hurricanes. Before returning to Miami, he spent five successful years at Oregon, posting a 35-13 record, making him a prime candidate for major programs.
The 54-year-old transformed the team’s record from 5-7 in 2022 to an impressive 10-3 in 2024 in just one year. This growth shows Cristobal is living up to the expectations, and Miami is already seeing the benefits of their significant investment in him.
#9. Brian Kelly salary: $9.98 million (LSU)
Annual Salary: $9.98 million
Total Contract Value: $95 million over 10 years (signed in 2022)
Brian Kelly rounds out the top 10 with a $9.98 million salary at LSU, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football. His leadership and recruiting efforts continue to elevate the Tigers as a national contender.
In 2022, the 63-year-old signed a 10-year, $95 million contract, and his salary has grown steadily, with bonuses for playoff appearances, bowl victories, and national championships. He had an impressive start, leading LSU to a 10-4 record and an SEC Championship appearance in 2022.
Brian Kelly to LSU for $95 MILLION 🤯🤯
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 30, 2021
Notre Dame could still play in the College Football Playoff this year#PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/zGaoqBIpuU
But recent seasons have been up and down, and pressure is mounting for College Football Playoff success. However, his buyout clause makes any potential coaching change financially challenging, as LSU would owe him 90% of his remaining contract if they let him go.
#8. Bill Belichick salary: $10 million (UNC)
Annual Salary: $10 million
Total Contract Value: $50 million over 5 years (signed in 2025)
The six-time Super Bowl-winning coach, Bill Belichick, shocked the football world by joining college football in January 2025. He signed a five-year, $50 million deal with UNC, earning $10 million each year. Even though he has never coached at the college level, his arrival has already brought excitement and big expectations, given his experience in the pro football league.
There’s still some talk about a possible NFL return, but his contract makes it tough to walk away early. If he leaves before June 1, 2025, he must pay UNC $10 million. That shows how serious the school is about keeping him.
Expectations are high, and if the Super Bowl-winning coach can transform UNC into a true ACC powerhouse, his college legacy could be just as bright, if not more so, than his professional success.
#7. Kalen DeBoer salary: $10 million (Alabama)
Annual Salary: $10 million
Total Contract Value: $82 million over 8 years (signed in 2024)
Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer had his contract approved in March 2024. He is set to make $87 million over an eight-year deal that runs through December 31, 2031. He will earn $10 million in the first year, with his compensation increasing to $11.75 million in the final year.
Since arriving at Alabama, DeBoer has kept the program among the nation’s best. He led the Crimson Tide to an SEC Championship appearance in 2024 and enters 2025 as a national title contender.
Alabama has hired Kalen DeBoer as their head football coach, but who is he?
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) January 12, 2024
Here’s a rundown of the Crimson Tide’s newest boss and his career so far? #RollTide pic.twitter.com/CfSflaQ2q2
While his first season had ups and downs, including losses to Vanderbilt and Tennessee, he eventually proved himself and earned a spot in the top 10 highest-paid coaches.
#6. Lincoln Riley salary: $10.04 million (USC)
Annual Salary: $10.04 million
Total Contract Value: $82 million over 8 years (signed in 2024)
Lincoln Riley joined the top 10 highest-paid college football coaches after signing a 10-year, $110 million deal with USC in 2021. He now earns $10.04 million per year, with huge bonuses for winning big games. USC would have to pay $88 million if they fired him before 2026 due to his contract buyout clause.
.@ShannonSharpe on Lincoln Riley leaving Oklahoma for USC:
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) November 29, 2021
"Coming into USC with his genius mind, this was box office. This is huge. Now every QB and WR will want to play for USC. They struck gold with this one. Link, welcome to LA bruh. If you need anything hit ya boy up!" pic.twitter.com/WLFflL86Wd
Riley had a strong start with an 11-3 season in 2022. But things went downhill with an 8-5 record in 2023 and a 7-6 record in 2024. His 2025 run isn’t looking great either. As USC steps into the tougher Big Ten, the coach is under real pressure to bring playoff success.
#5. Steve Sarkisian salary: $10.6 million (Texas)
Annual Salary: $10.6 million
Total Contract Value: 7-year extension through 2031
Steve Sarkisian is now in the top 5, earning $10.6 million annually with a seven-year extension through 2031 at Texas. His impressive salary reflects the success he’s brought to the program, including leading the Longhorns to back-to-back College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals in 2023 and 2024, as well as securing the Big 12 Championship in 2023.
Steve Sarkisian and Texas have agreed to a seven-year deal, per @PeteThamel
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 18, 2025
Sark is one of the HIGHEST paid coaches at $10.6M 💰 pic.twitter.com/tEzwelWcla
Following this success, expectations are even higher for Sarkisian in 2025. The Longhorns are aiming to build on their recent achievements and finally claim their first national title under his leadership.
#4. Deion Sanders salary: $10.8 million (Georgia)
Annual Salary: $10.8 million
Total Contract Value: $54 million over 5 years (signed in 2025)
Deion Sanders’ salary, which was just $300,000 at Jackson State in 2022, has skyrocketed 33 times in just three years. Yes, he will earn $10.8 million annually in Colorado by 2025. He made this possible with his larger-than-life personality, which has helped him redefine college football on another level.
Sanders has transformed the Buffaloes since day one. He turned a struggling 1-11 team into a 9-4 winner in 2024. His ability to attract top talent—including Heisman winner Travis Hunter—has solidified Colorado’s position as a growing powerhouse in the Big 12.
NEWS: DEION SANDERS WILL MAKE 200 THOUSAND DOLLARS A WEEK WITH HIS NEW CONTRACT.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) March 28, 2025
Per Minute: $20
Per Hour: $1,232
Per Day: $29,589
Per Week: $207,692
Per Month: $900,000
For the next five years 🤯 pic.twitter.com/SzpiEHsieg
Now, his $10.8 million salary makes him the highest-paid coach in the Big 12 and among the top six highest-paid coaches in college football. His buyout clause, starting at $12 million in 2025, ensures Colorado will retain him long-term.
#3. Dabo Swinney salary: $11.25 million (Clemson)
Annual Salary: $11.25 million
Total Contract Value: $119 million over 12 years (signed in 2025)
Before the 2019 season, Clemson’s Board of Trustees made a huge move by approving a 10-year, $93 million contract for Dabo Swinney. Then, in September 2022, they extended his contract to a 10-year, $115 million deal, boosting his annual salary to $11.25 million for 2025.
With this salary, Swinney is now ranked third among the top 10 highest-paid college football coaches. The extension also keeps him with Clemson until 2031. But that’s not all — his contract guarantees annual raises of $250,000 until 2026, and by 2029, his salary will jump to $12.5 million.
Do you think he’ll leave the team? Given the amount he’s making, it’s hard to imagine he’d leave anytime soon. Plus, his contract includes the Alabama Clause, which makes it even more unlikely. If Swinney decides to leave Clemson for Alabama, his buyout — the fee for breaking the contract — will be much higher than usual.
#2. Ryan Day salary: $12.5 million (Ohio State)
Annual Salary: $12.5 million
Total Contract Value: $87.75 million over 7 years (signed in 2025)
Ryan Day has become one of the top earners in college football, making $12.5 million a year in 2025 as the head coach of Ohio State. With the university’s massive media rights deal fueling revenue, it’s no surprise that they could offer one of the most expensive coaching contracts in NCAA history.
However, his salary didn’t jump overnight. It started with a big contract extension in 2020, raising his pay to $9.5 million. Then, before the 2023 season, he signed another extension that keeps him in Columbus through 2031.
Day’s rising pay matches the team’s on-field success. Under his guidance, the Buckeyes won the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship and remained dominant in the Big Ten. Plus, having the 3rd place on the list, he has already proved that he’s worth every penny.
#1. Kirby Smart salary: $13 million (Georgia)
Annual Salary: $13 million
Total Contract Value: $130 million over 10 years (signed in 2024)
Kirby Smart stands as the highest-paid coach in college football, earning $13 million annually under a 10-year, $130 million contract extension signed in 2024. Georgia rewarded him with this record-breaking deal following back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022.
The University of Georgia athletic board has just approved a deal to extend Kirby Smart's contract two years, a boost in pay of $1.75 million, giving him an annual salary of $13 million per season to make him the highest-paid coach in college football. pic.twitter.com/3jZKMNQzxM
— Anthony Dasher (@AnthonyDasher1) May 2, 2024
Smart’s $13 million salary puts him ahead of Ryan Day ($12.5M) and Dabo Swinney ($11.25M). His buyout clause means Georgia would owe him 85% of his remaining contract if he’s fired after 2028, making a coaching change highly unlikely.
