Wednesday, October 7, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

Big Money on Line for Coaches in CFP Semifinals

  • Harbaugh has racked up more than $2M in bonuses already and another six-figure bonus is reachable.
  • Georgia’s Kirby Smart is up to $850,000 so far this season ahead of Saturday’s CFP semifinal.
Jim Harbaugh laughs during pregame interview
Cheryl Evans-USA TODAY NETWORK

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has already netted more than $2 million in bonuses for leading the Wolverines to a Big Ten title and College Football Playoff semifinal berth. 

It will take two victories before Harbaugh is eligible for another seven-figure payout. Wins over TCU in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday and another in the CFP title game on Jan. 9 would trigger a $1 million bonus. 

Harbaugh received $500,000 for winning the Big Ten East Division title, $1 million for the overall conference title and another $500,000 for making it to the College Football Playoffs. He also took in $50,000 for winning Big Ten coach of the year. 

Harbaugh’s compensation — minus the aforementioned bonuses  — is $8.05 million for the 2022 season, the first of a reworked five-year contract announced in February. 

  • Georgia coach Kirby Smart is up to $850,000 bonuses so far, according to USA Today. Georgia faces Ohio State in the other playoff semifinal, the Peach Bowl, on Saturday.
  • Ohio State coach Ryan Day earned $250,000 for making it into the playoff, and could earn $100,000 more by advancing to the title game. 
  • TCU coach Sonny Dykes bonus structure isn’t known. As a private school, TCU does not release contract information. He recently received an extension through 2028.

Pay Rebound

Harbaugh agreed to cut his compensation about half for the 2021 season to around $4 million as part of renogotiated contract. He also renounced $1.5 million in bonuses that were funneled to athletic department staffers who had their pay cut as a result of the pandemic.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 3, 2026; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders following a touchdown scored in the first quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Colorado’s Skid Renews Questions About Deion Sanders’s Roster Model

Colorado enters its bye week on a three-game losing streak.
Sep 5, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Bob Chesney (center) talks to UCLA Bruins linebacker Jalen Woods (left) before the game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

UCLA’s Football Spending Spree Is Already Paying Off

UCLA is 4–0 heading into a high-profile matchup vs. Oregon.
Cubs behind the scenes

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.

Northwestern Stadium Developer Explains Empty Seats

The 35,000-seat stadium was officially sold out in its first game.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Draymond Green on “New Media”

0:00

Featured Today

How the Baseball Cap Became a ‘Behemoth’

The hat has become essential for athletes, fans, and the sports-agnostic.
Morishita-Sato-homerun-celebration-at-Meiji-Jingu-Baseball-Staidum-2025
September 28, 2026

Japanese Baseball Is Fighting Back Against MLB Talent Drain

Nippon Professional Baseball is reimagining how to be a global juggernaut.
Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.
September 25, 2026

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
A Bar of Their Own
September 25, 2026

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
Hot & Social/Mets
September 18, 2026

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.

Judge Orders ICE to Release College Basketball Player

The government has 24 hours to appeal the ruling.
Exclusive
October 5, 2026

Portnoy on Fox ‘Big Noon’ Exit: Ryan Day Thinks I ‘Doxxed’ Him

Portnoy tells FOS that Ohio State pushed for his removal.
Oct 1, 2026; New York, NY, USA; St. John's Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino speaks at 2026 Big East Media Day at Marriott Marquis.
October 6, 2026

St. John’s Booster Repole Says Team Better Make the Final Four

Mike Repole has contributed seven-figure sums to his alma mater’s NIL program.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
October 3, 2026

New-Look Pac-12 Returns for First Week of Conference Play

It’s a milestone many thought unlikely just three years ago.
October 3, 2026

NCAA Defers to ACC on Controversial Pitt–Virginia Tech Ending

The ACC declined to comment on the play call.
Arizona State hockey head coach Greg Powers watches his team as they play UMass-Lowell at Oceanside Ice Arena on Jan. 12, 2018, in Tempe.
October 2, 2026

ASU Commissions Independent Investigation of Hockey Workout

Coach Greg Powers was placed on leave earlier this week.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks with New York Yankees president Randy Levine as they attend a roundtable event on collegiate sports at the White House in Washington, D.C., March 6, 2026.
Exclusive
October 2, 2026

SEC and Big Ten Don’t Want to Expand: Randy Levine

Levine argued amending the conference realignment provision would be unnecessary.