Within the Nineteen Eighties, a major-conference faculty soccer coach earned between $100,000 and $400,000. The very best-paid coaches on this planet had been Oklahoma’s Barry Switzer and Alabama’s Ray Perkins. They made round $500,000 per yr when all bonuses had been factored in.
Georgia Tech’s Bobby Ross is extensively credited as the primary coach to interrupt the $1 million barrier (together with endorsements and incentives) after successful the 1990 nationwide championship. Lou Holtz at Notre Dame and Steve Spurrier at Florida quickly joined the seven-figure membership within the early Nineteen Nineties.
Then got here large TV offers. Then got here NIL.
Right this moment, the MARKET RATE for a high program head coach is $10 million per yr.
As you’ll have heard, earlier this week, Lane Kiffin introduced that he was ditching Ole Miss mid-season. Kiffin and Ole Miss are sitting atop the group’s greatest season on file, with an actual shot at a championship. What might probably have lured Lane away from Ole Miss in the midst of what might show to be their biggest season ever? A reported $90 million assured contract from LSU. Kiffin’s new deal can pay him $13 million per yr (up from $9 million), with escalators that might considerably balloon his wage primarily based on playoff appearances and efficiency. Kiffin’s contract additionally features a buyout price 80% of his remaining wage if he is fired with out trigger. Ought to that occur in yr one of many deal, Kiffin can be owed $72.8 million. If he did get fired, he’d obtain month-to-month installments by way of 2032—even when he acquired one other job elsewhere.
Consider it or not, that completely insane deal doesn’t even make Lane Kiffin the highest-paid faculty coach on this planet. That honor belongs to…
Alabama’s Nick Saban and Georgia’s Kirby Sensible (Mike Zarrilli/Getty Photographs)
The ten Highest Paid School Soccer Coaches
#10. Josh Heupel – Tennessee ($9.0 million/yr)
Tennessee elevated Josh Heupel into the $9 million tier after an 11–2 breakthrough season that reenergized this system. His extension by way of 2029 solidified him because the long-term face of Vols soccer. Heupel’s fast-paced offense, a marquee win over Alabama, and a return to nationwide relevance justified the increase. Tennessee is closely dedicated financially, too: his buyout sits round $37.5 million. That quantity displays this system’s perception that Heupel can navigate the SEC’s hardest panorama and ship sustained postseason success.
#9. Invoice Belichick – North Carolina ($10.1 million/yr)
North Carolina shocked the faculty soccer world by hiring the winningest head coach in NFL historical past. Invoice Belichick signed a five-year, $50 million deal to jumpstart the Tar Heels and immediately turned one of many sport’s high earners. The outcomes up to now have been rocky. UNC hasn’t crushed a Energy 4 opponent below Belichick, and several other blowout losses have raised eyebrows. The college is tied to him financially by way of 2027, with greater than $20 million assured in the event that they pull the plug early. UNC continues to be betting that Belichick’s legendary soccer thoughts ultimately interprets to the faculty recreation.
#8. Kalen DeBoer – Alabama ($10.25 million/yr)
Changing Nick Saban is an unattainable process for nearly anybody, however Alabama selected Kalen DeBoer to hold the dynasty ahead. After constructing Washington right into a nationwide contender, DeBoer accepted an eight-year deal paying $10.25 million yearly, with built-in raises as much as $11.75 million. The contract consists of seven-figure bonuses for SEC championships, playoff berths, and nationwide title runs. Alabama additionally hooked up a $60+ million buyout, signaling a long-term dedication. Early rising pains apart, DeBoer has Alabama again in place to compete deep into the postseason.
#7. Dan Lanning – Oregon ($10.4 million/yr)
Oregon turned Dan Lanning into one of many sport’s highest-paid younger coaches after he shortly remodeled the Geese right into a powerhouse. His restructured 2025 deal pays about $10.4 million yearly and runs properly into the following decade. Lanning’s Geese posted an .870 successful share and captured a convention title of their Large Ten debut, prompting Oregon to verify he stays put. His buyout, estimated between $50–60 million, makes him extraordinarily troublesome to poach and alerts Oregon’s intent to compete financially with the SEC and Large Ten elite.
#6. Steve Sarkisian – Texas ($10.8 million/yr)
Texas has doubled down on Steve Sarkisian with two main extensions in two years, pushing his compensation to $10.8 million yearly. Again-to-back School Soccer Playoff appearances secured his place among the many big-money coaches. Texas’s transfer into the SEC amplified the stakes, and the varsity made certain Sarkisian would not be tempted by NFL curiosity. The buyout exceeds $60 million, binding Texas to Sarkisian’s long-term imaginative and prescient. Regardless of some stumbles within the Arch Manning period, Texas believes he’s nonetheless the coach who can ship a championship in Austin.
#5. Dabo Swinney – Clemson ($11.3 million/yr)
Dabo Swinney’s decade of dominance at Clemson earned him a 10-year, $115 million contract that is still one of many richest within the sport. His $11.3 million wage is backed by two nationwide titles and the very best win whole in program historical past. The problem now’s sustaining that excellence as Clemson navigates roster turnover and an more and more aggressive ACC. Swinney’s buyout is close to $60 million, and Clemson has proven no signal of wavering regardless of a current downturn. His contract is structured to let him resolve when his tenure ends.
#4. Lincoln Riley – USC (~$11.5 million/yr)
As a result of USC is a personal college, precise numbers aren’t disclosed, however a number of stories place Lincoln Riley above $11 million yearly. His arrival from Oklahoma was one of many largest teaching strikes of the century, full with a blockbuster contract believed to incorporate perks like luxurious housing and top-tier private journey advantages. Riley’s USC tenure began quick however has been inconsistent, with defensive issues limiting playoff hopes. Even so, USC stays totally dedicated to its offensive-minded star coach, whose wage alerts the varsity’s willpower to revive nationwide championship ambitions.
#3. Ryan Day – Ohio State ($12.5 million/yr)
Few coaches have lived as much as sky-high expectations as constantly as Ryan Day. After guiding Ohio State to a nationwide championship, he secured a seven-year, $87.5 million deal price roughly $12.5 million per yr. The Buckeyes have hovered within the playoff dialog each season below his watch, and his contract displays Ohio State’s want to keep up stability on the high of one of many sport’s premier packages. The deal is heavy on bonuses and buyout protections, guaranteeing Day stays one in every of faculty soccer’s monetary heavyweights.
#2. Lane Kiffin – LSU ($13.0 million/yr)
Lane Kiffin’s mid-season transfer from Ole Miss to LSU immediately turned one of many wildest teaching storylines in current historical past. His new seven-year, $90 million deal pays him $13 million per yr and consists of one of the aggressive buyout protections ever written: LSU should pay 80% of his remaining wage if he is fired with out trigger, with no offset even when he takes one other job. The contract additionally contains a “championship escalator” clause that may routinely push him above the nation’s top-paid coach if he wins a nationwide title. LSU is taking an unlimited swing — and paying accordingly.
#1. Kirby Sensible – Georgia ($13.3 million/yr)
Kirby Sensible stands alone on the high of the faculty soccer wage mountain. His 10-year, $130 million extension vaulted him to a staggering $13.3 million per yr, making him the highest-paid faculty soccer coach on this planet. Georgia structured his take care of full ensures by way of 2028 and vital ensures past that, making a buyout properly north of $100 million. Sensible’s outcomes justify the price: a number of nationwide championships, perennial top-five finishes, and essentially the most constantly dominant program of the previous decade. Georgia is not simply paying for previous success — they’re paying to maintain the machine working for years to return.
