• Loading stock data...
Friday, December 19, 2025
Breakfast Ball is heading to San Francisco with hosts Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. Request to Attend

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

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.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

JMU, Tulane Are CFP Underdogs, Big Winners in Merch Sales

The playoff underdogs are getting plenty of fan support.
Dec 13, 2025; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Kansas State Wildcats guard PJ Haggerty (4) drives around Creighton Bluejays guard Josh Dix (4) during the first half at CHI Health Center Omaha.

Kalshi Under Fire for Potential Transfer Portal Event Contracts

Polymarket has already had at least one live transfer portal market.
Ohio Football

Ohio Fires Football Coach for ‘Serious Professional Misconduct’

The university hasn’t said what Smith did to get fired.

ACC Plans Tiebreaker Changes for 2026 After CFP Near-Miss

This season’s rules kept the conference’s best team out of the title game.

Featured Today

How Pickleball Became One Massive Private-Equity Rollup

Pickleball roads lead back to billionaire Tom Dundon.
Dec 9, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles against Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) during the first half at the 2025-26 NBA Emirates Cup at Scotiabank Arena
December 13, 2025

The Lucrative NBA Cup Is Here to Stay

The in-season tournament, launched in 2023, is turning into a staple.
The Los Angeles Chargers host executives from UCLA Health on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
December 7, 2025

The Multibillion-Dollar Business of Pro Athlete Recovery

What started as ice baths has evolved into a multibillion-dollar industry.
Big League Wiffle Ball
November 29, 2025

Celebrity-Backed Wiffle Ball Has Big-League Aspirations

Big League Wiffle Ball team owners include Kevin Costner and David Adelman.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks running back Khristian Lando (22) hoists the trophy as Troy Trojans take on Jacksonville State Gamecocks during the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. Jacksonville State Gamecocks defeated Troy Trojans 17-13.
December 17, 2025

Separate Group of 6 Playoff? Bowl Season Organizers Would Support It

The future of college football’s postseason remains murky.
Wisconsin middle blocker Carter Booth (52) is shown during their volleyball match Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at the Wisconsin Field House in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-Milwaukee 3-0.
December 18, 2025

Why Pro Athletes’ Daughters Are Picking Volleyball

The women’s volleyball Final Four starts in Kansas City on Thursday.
Sponsored

Brian Hoyer: Patriots Lessons, NIL Chaos & His Post-NFL Career

The former Patriots QB talks to FOS about college football’s radical transformation.
December 16, 2025

College Football QB Carousel: Who’s Staying, Who’s Heading to Portal?

Florida’s DJ Lagway headlines this year’s list of transferring quarterbacks.
December 14, 2025

Michigan Orders Sweeping Probe Into Athletic Department Scandals

The school retains a Chicago law firm to explore department culture and practices.
December 12, 2025

Big 12 Closing In on Potential $500M Private-Capital Deal

The era of private capital in college sports has fully arrived.
Sep 6, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Warde Manuel, Michigan Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics on the field prior to a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
December 12, 2025

Michigan Scandals Under Athletic Director Warde Manuel

The athletic director has led the Wolverines since 2016.