• Loading stock data...
Friday, April 25, 2025

Saban Leads Pack of Highest-Paid College Football Coaches

  • Clemson’s Dabo Swinney is the second-highest-paid coach at $10.54 million.
  • Kirby Smart — who led Georgia to a national title in 2021 – will pocket $10.25 million.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Saban remains college football’s highest-paid coach for the third consecutive year. 

According to USA Today, pay for college football head coaches experienced its greatest one-year spike in 2022 — an average increase of 15.3% since 2021.

Saban is set to make $10.95 million in 2022, up from $9.75 million in 2021 — when his Alabama Crimson Tide finished as the College Football Playoff runner-up. 

  • Clemson’s Dabo Swinney is the second-highest-paid coach at $10.54 million.
  • Kirby Smart — who led Georgia to a national title in 2021 – will pocket $10.25 million.
  • LSU’s Brian Kelly rounds out the top four at $9.81 million after leaving Notre Dame in 2021.

Outside of the top four are Big Ten coaches, led by Mel Tucker at Michigan State who will make $9.56 million this year as the conference’s coaches average $9.5 million for 2022. 

On the Rise 

The lucrative contracts of college football’s top coaches continue to rise due to the flurry of coaching changes throughout the sport, expensive media deals, and winning-based incentives. 

Saban’s salary for 2022 includes $825,000 in bonuses, while Smart will take home $850,000 after bringing the Georgia football program its first national championship since 1980. 

In August, the Big Ten finalized a media rights deal worth at least $7 billion, sources confirmed to Front Office Sports — the largest media rights pact in all of college sports. As part of the agreement — which runs from 2023 to 2030 — FOX, CBS, and NBC will share rights.

Big Ten Finalizes Landmark Media Rights Deal Worth At Least $7B

The deal is the largest in college sports history.
August 18, 2022

The Pac-12 is reportedly taking bids for its next media rights deal and is considering Amazon.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jan 21, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; College Football Playoff executive director Rich Clark speaks during the CFP National Championship Host Committee handoff press conference at The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Savannah Ballroom.

CFP Meetings End With No Major Changes to 12-Team Playoff—for Now

For now, the complicated seeding process will remain in place.
exclusive

Fox, Shannon Sharpe Settled Physical Incident With Female PA

Sharpe’s reps confirm a past “physical” incident was settled by Fox.

The Bold NFL Draft Approaches of Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders

The longtime college teammates are taking different professional approaches.

Fewer NFL Draft Prospects Will Be in Green Bay. Here’s Why

There will be 15 NFL Draft prospects in Green Bay.

Featured Today

Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.
Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Paige Bueckers is interviewed by ESPN after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards
April 21, 2025

ESPN’s WNBA Coverage Mirrors the League’s Stunning Growth

“I don’t think we stand still in our coverage of women’s sports,” says Rowe.
Mar 16, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with guard Isaiah Joe (11) after score in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.
April 20, 2025

Unorthodox OKC: The Thunder Redefined Tanking to Become NBA’s Best

A rebuild years in the making has OKC in the driver’s seat.
Mar 13, 2020; Augusta, GA, USA; The front entrance at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Friday morning. The Masters Tournament has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns.
opinion
April 20, 2025

What’s It Like to Play Augusta? A Day on the World’s Most..

Inside a round at the most exclusive club in the world.
Ole Miss

Coach Yo: Women’s College Hoops Are ‘Pay for Play’

Ole Miss coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin built a top transfer class this offseason.
NC State women's cross country
April 23, 2025

Judge Threatens to Reject $2.8 Billion House v. NCAA Settlement

The NCAA and power conferences could end up at trial.
April 24, 2025

The House Settlement Is in Jeopardy. Here’s What It Will Take to..

The parties will try to salvage the settlement over the next two weeks.
Sponsored

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

This week, Two-time Super Bowl Champion and CBS NFL analyst Logan Ryan joins us to talk the business of sports on our third installment of Portfolio Players.
Dec 27, 2024; Memphis, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Miguel Mitchell (16) returns an interception during the forth quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
April 23, 2025

NIL Contract Buyouts Are More Common, but Can They Be Enforced?

The Arkansas collective has issued two demand letters to players to pay buyouts.
Flau'jae Johnson
exclusive
April 23, 2025

Flau’jae Johnson Says She Will Return to LSU

The transfer portal closed Wednesday.
Fordham
April 23, 2025

Fordham Hit With Rare NIL Era NCAA Sanctions

The Rams were hit with recruiting violations stemming from a Times Square photo shoot.
Mar 20, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys guard Quadir Copeland (11) brings the ball up court against Clemson Tigers forward Ian Schieffelin (4) during the second half at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
April 22, 2025

Why College Players Without NCAA Eligibility Are Flooding the Transfer Portal

Athletes nationwide hope legal challenges will win them extra eligibility.