Highest-Paid College Football Head Coaches in 2024

Most coaches are simply in the game because of the love of it! But — in the end — coaching a team is a job that gets you paid well. The world of college football is not just about the players on the field but also the masterminds behind the scenes — the head coaches. Teams usually invest a lot of money in those who take the field: the players. Teams bring head coaches off the field to oversee the on-field investment. It’s business, my friend!

The coaches sure come with a price tag for their hard work and experience on the field. It’s all good, but not all coaches get paid the same; some receive six- to eight-figure salaries. Who gets paid the highest? Is it Deion? Lincoln? or Kirby? Let’s look at the highest-paid coaches in college football in 2024.

The men on the sidelines

Deion Sanders, Buffs

He has always been in the limelight when it comes to college football. Coach Prime started his head coaching career at Jackson State University in 2020, where he led the team to a SWAC Championship. In December 2022, he took over as the head coach for the Colorado Buffaloes. He has just bagged a five-year contract worth $29.5 million, making his annual salary approximately $5.9 million.

Brian Kelly, LSU

He is the winningest coach in school history, with 283 career victories. This head coach has already made history at Central Michigan, Cincinnati, and Notre Dame, where he had a storied career. He started coaching at LSU in 2021. He tripled his salary from $2.67 million to $9 million over a 10-year deal with LSU.

Ryan Day, Buckeyes

In 2019, Ryan took over as the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, following Urban Meyer. Under his leadership, the Buckeyes have consistently been in the College Football Playoff mix and have won multiple Big Ten Championships. His contract drafted $66.5 million over seven years, which brings his annual salary to $9.5 million.

Lincoln Riley, Trojans

His consistently delivering the best and most remarkable recruitment has kept his team in the game. Riley made a name for himself at the University of Oklahoma, where he was the HC from 2017 to 2021. Under him, the Sooners won various Big 12 Championships. Lincoln became the head coach of the USC Trojans in November 2021. The HC in question has agreed to terms with USC, and the exact value of the deal is said to be $110 million over a decade, or $10 million per year.

Steve Sarkisian, Longhorns

Steve has quite some experience in the gridiron and some coaching experience. He served as head coach of the Huskies of the University of Washington for five years or up to 2015, then the USC Trojans for three years from 2016 to 2019 before being appointed head coach of the Texas Longhorns in January 2021. His contract expires in 2030; during the transitional period, he has a pay rise of a hundred thousand dollars every year. Steve takes home $10. 3 million per year.

Kalen DeBoer, Crimson Tide

Kalen DeBoer served as the head coach at Fresno State and then became the head coach at Washington in 2022. He now plays an important role in coaching Alabama Crimson Tide football. Kalen has been a resourceful asset to the teams he has coached and has been appraised to make an average of $10.8 million annually.

Dabo Swinney, Tigers

William Christopher “Dabo” Swinney was appointed the head coach at Clemson University in 2008, taking over from Tommy Bowden amid the season at the seventh game. Thus, Dabo has been titled and championed by many a name, and though worthy of mention, he is among the highest-paid coaches. Dabo Swinney, the team’s coach, takes home his yearly pay of $11 million at the year’s closing.

Kirby Smart, Bulldogs

If it isn’t for the highest-paid coach! Kirby Smart has led the Georgia Bulldogs football team and has recently become one of the most decorated coaches. He led the Bulldogs to achieve two back-to-back national championships. Smart gained his experience after working under Saban. Kirby was a defensive coordinator for a long time for the Crimson Tide, nine seasons, two months, and 18 days. He garners over $13 million a year in endorsements.