• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Who Is the Highest-Paid Men’s College Basketball Coach?

  • The Big Ten and SEC take up a combined 18 of the 25 spots among highest-paid coaches.
  • Twelve coaches earn at least $5 million a year.
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

As one of just nine coaches in men’s college basketball history with 700-plus wins and multiple national championships, Kansas coach Bill Self (above) is in the upper echelons of the sport’s elite.

Now, he has a salary to match.

Kansas amended Self’s lifetime contract with the school to be a five-year rolling contract—with the first iteration of it paying him a reported $53 million over five years.

When he won his second national title in 2022, the 60-year-old was making $10.2 million, but due to the contract structure, his pay dropped to $8.8 million.

With the new deal, Self reclaims the title of the nation’s highest-paid men’s college basketball coach after Arkansas’ John Calipari briefly supplanted him. 

Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, Auburn’s Bruce Pearl, and Tennessee’s Rick Barnes round out the top five, all making over $6 million a season. 

Highest-paid College basketball Coaches of 2025

Here are the top 25 highest-paid coaches in men’s college basketball, using data from USA Today based on the 2024-25 season but taking into account coaching changes, compensation data, and the latest information.

  • Updated: March 20th, 2025
  • Will be updated again: May 2025
RankCoachSchoolTotal PayConf.
1Bill SelfKansas$8,803,800Big 12
2John CalipariArkansas$8,000,000SEC
3Dan HurleyUConn$7,775,000Big East
4Tom IzzoMichigan St$6,196,879Big Ten
5Mick CroninUCLA$6,100,000Big Ten
6Bruce PearlAuburn$5,958,852SEC
7Rick BarnesTennessee$5,800,000SEC
8Scott DrewBaylor$5,410,061Big 12
9Tommy LloydArizona$5,250,000Big 12
10Nate OatsAlabama$5,018,045SEC
T-11Mark PopeKentucky$5,000,000SEC
T-11Chris BeardOle Miss$5,000,000SEC
13Matt PainterPurdue$4,850,000Big Ten
14Brad UnderwoodIllinois$4,800,000Big Ten
15Fred HoibergNebraska$4,750,000Big Ten
16Kelvin SampsonHouston$4,604,000Big 12
17Buzz WilliamsTexas A&M$4,600,000SEC
T-18Chris JansMississippi State$4,200,000SEC
T-18Mike WoodsonIndiana$4,200,000Big Ten
20Jamie DixonTCU$4,106,441Big 12
T-21Dennis GatesMissouri$4,100,000SEC
T-21Kevin WillardMaryland$4,100,000Big Ten
23Dana AltmanOregon$4,007,000Big Ten
24Grant McCaslandTexas Tech$3,900,000Big 12
25Greg GardWisconsin$3,875,375Big Ten

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Tennessee pitcher Brayden Krenzel (34) pitches during a NCAA baseball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on May 11, 2025.

SEC Stranglehold on College Baseball Continues

SEC schools will host eight of the 16 regionals set to start this weekend.

SEC Push for More CFP Power Draws Congressional Attention

Greg Sankey attacks the Big 12 and ACC while seeking more autonomy.
Caddy Ted Scott talks with Scottie Scheffler during the second round of the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl. Friday March 14, 2025.

How Do You Become a PGA Tour Caddie?

The pathways, skills, and expectations for caddying at golf’s highest level.
May 18, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Scottie Scheffler tees off on the third hole during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow.

How Do You Become a PGA Tour Pro Golfer?

The pathways, skills, and experience needed to compete at golf’s highest level.

Featured Today

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 24, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams

The Fever and Pacers are thriving at the same time.
Around the Horn - October 26, 2020
May 23, 2025

‘Quirky, Nutty, Bombastic’: 10 ‘Around the Horn’ Faces on Their Top Moments

“A quirky, nutty, bombastic, mostly wrong, sometimes right, crazy sports family.”

Can Golf Emulate the College World Series Model?

Carlsbad, Calif., is hosting the event through 2028.
BYU QB
May 22, 2025

Woman Says Police Discouraged Rape Claim Against BYU Quarterback

The Provo police department denies her account.
May 22, 2025

New CFP Seeding Rewards Rankings, Not Titles—Except on the Paycheck

Last season, only conference champions could earn first-round byes.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Nov 23, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (26) is tackled by Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Alex Afari Jr.(3) during the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
May 21, 2025

Some Schools Concerned About Memo Binding Them to House Settlement

The memo would attempt to prevent the schools from suing the conferences.
Ziegler
May 21, 2025

Tennessee Guard Sues to Play Fifth Year of College Basketball, Citing NIL..

Zeigler was a four-year player at Tennessee and third-team All-American.
Mar 8, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs guard Tyrin Lawrence (7) shoots over Vanderbilt Commodores forward Devin McGlockton (99) during the first half at Stegeman Coliseum.
May 20, 2025

Charlie Baker: Power Conferences Will Enforce House Settlement, Not the NCAA

The NCAA will cede enforcement of amateurism to the power conferences.
Mar 30, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Houston Cougars forward J'Wan Roberts (13) dribbles the ball against Tennessee Volunteers forward Felix Okpara (34) in the second half during the Midwest Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
May 19, 2025

Even If House v. NCAA Settlement Is Denied, State Lawmakers Let Schools..

States are making it illegal for the NCAA to stop schools from paying players.