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College football coaches are significant; they are basically at the top level and are the prominent figures of the University's football program. There is a blend of factors that contribute to why coaches are paid impressively, including the hefty revenue generated by the sport, due to a high demand for successful coaches for the success of a team and of course, the supremacy of the position.
Who are the Highest-Paid College Football Coaches in 2025?
Coming back to the topic, the coach’s expertise to attract and retain players has a major influence on the university’s overall athletic and academic reputation. In the NIL time of college sports, both student athletes and coaches are paid on the terms of their credibility. In the wake of this, let's break down college football’s highest-paid coaches in 2025.
Mark Stoops
The University of Kentucky awarded a new contract and pay raise of $9,031,600 prior to the 2023 season to the former American professional football player and coach, Mark Stoops. He has been the head football coach for the University of Kentucky since 2013. Stoops is considered the longest-term coach in the history of Kentucky. The 57-year-old is likely to add to his legacy of triumph with the Wildcats entering his 13th season in 2025.
The coach has seven bowl appearances, a school record, and 16 consecutive victories against non-conference competition from 2018 to 2022, which was the country’s longest active streak at the time.
Brain Kelly
Brian Kelly has been the head football coach at Louisiana State University since the 2022 season. LSU has signed a 10-year deal worth $9,975,000 with the coach. During his three seasons with the Tigers, Kelly has won 29 contests with back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2022-23 including 17 SEC victories.
Bill Belichick
The legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick joined North Carolina as a head coach in 2024. Belichick signed a five-year deal worth $10,000,000 per year, with the first three years guaranteed at $10 million per year, but years four and five are not, according to reports. The 73-year-old coach is the second-winningest coach in NFL history and the eight-time Super Bowl champion.
Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders signed a five-year contract extension worth $ 54 million in March 2025, until 2029. Following his high-profile presence, the legendary coach has brought national attention to Colorado football. The Buffaloes manager powered his side from a 1-11 record to a 4-8 record in 2022, which was his first season.
As per a report in ESPN, his base salary has been increased to $10 million in 2025. As per the contract, Sanders will earn another $10 million in 2026 and $11 million in 2027 and 2028. The 58-year-old will earn $12 million in 2029.
Lincoln Riley
Lincoln Riley is one of the highest-paid college football coaches since his time as the Oklahoma head coach, after he won the Big 12 Championship Games four times in a row from 2017 to 2021. Riley signed a $10,043,418 contract with USC, and a pay raise of an additional $2.5 million to join USC annually.
Kalen DeBoer
Kalen DeBoer is an American college football head coach for the University of Alabama. The 50-year-old has signed an eight-year contract worth $ 87 million which will run until 2031. He has a starting salary of $10 million from 2024, which increases by $250,000 annually and will peak at $11.75 million in 2031.
Steve Sarkisian
Steven Sarkisian is an American football coach for the University of Texas. He has a contract with the team until 2031, and the extension provides him with a guaranteed money of $10.8 million in 2025. It will have an annual rise which will push his salary to $12.3 million by the final year of his contract, as per ESPN.
Dan Lanning
Dan Lanning, the head coach of the University of Oregon, has a six-year contract with the team, which will run until 2030. The deal includes a $2 million annual raise, which will push his salary to around $11 million per year and is fully guaranteed.
Dabo Swinney
The Clemson University head coach, Dabo Swinney signed a 10-year contract extension with the team worth $115 million in 2021. It will run until 2031. His annual salary is $11.13 million, making him one of the highest-paid head coaches in college football.
Ryan Day
Ryan Day, the current head coach of the Ohio State University, is the second-highest in college football. Day, who led the team to the national title, has a contract which includes an $11.5 11.5million school buyout (per year remaining on the deal) as per CBS Sports. The source further reports that he owns a $6 million coach buyout, a max bonus of $1.55 million and a $250,000 retention bonus in 2027.
The 46-year-old American’s deal runs until 2031 with a base salary of $12.5 million per season.
Kirby Smart
Kirby Smart is the highest-paid college football head coach. The 49-year-old who coaches the University of Georgia has a 10-year contract worth $130 million, which runs until 2033. He owns an annual salary worth $13 million along with a bonus structure of $1.775 million. He will also get additional incentives for reaching the College Football Playoff and clinching the National Championship.
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