5 of 10 Highest-Paid CFB Coaches Lose in Week 1

With Ohio State facing Texas and Clemson facing LSU in the first week of the season, two of college football’s top-10 highest-paid coaches were guaranteed to start the year with a loss. 

But few would have expected five coaches from that list to lose, including Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer. 

In a year with the most expensive rosters ever seen in the sport, thanks to a perfect storm of NIL money and the start of direct revenue sharing prompted by the House v. NCAA settlement, head coaches will earn big this season. 

Georgia coach Kirby Smart will get $13 million this season in salary—and that’s before any bonuses dependent on advancing far in the Playoff. Georgia walloped Marshall 45–7.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day, No. 2 on the list $12.5 million, bested Texas and its coach Steve Sarkisian, No. 6 on the list with $10.8 million, 14–7. 

No. 3 on the top 10 pay list, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, fell to LSU and its coach Brian Kelly, No. 10 on the list with $9.9 million. The Clemson Tigers were favored by 4.5 points over the LSU Tigers, but lost 17-10.

Colorado and Deion Sanders (tied for No. 6 on the list at $10.8 million) were 3.5-point underdogs against Georgia Tech, even after the Buffaloes won nine games last season; they lost 27–20.

Even coming off a shocking loss to Vanderbilt last season and missing the College Football Playoff in DeBoer’s first year in the job, Alabama was still favored by 13.5 points over Florida State; the Tide lost 31–17. 

And then there was Bill Belichick, No. 9 on the list with $10 million in salary, who made his college debut with UNC on Monday against TCU. The Horned Frogs were 3.5-point favorites, and ended up blowing out the Tar Heels 48–14.

While an early loss can be damaging, it doesn’t knock these programs out of contention for a spot in the CFP; it just leaves little room for error the rest of the season.