Saban Leads Pack of Highest-Paid College Football Coaches (2024)

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.

Saban Leads Pack of Highest-Paid College Football Coaches (1)

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.

Saban Leads Pack of Highest-Paid College Football Coaches (2024)

FAQs

Saban Leads Pack of Highest-Paid College Football Coaches? ›

Beyond his coaching success, Saban's net worth in 2024 stands at a staggering $70 million, a testament to his financial prowess and strategic investments. Saban's coaching journey began with humble roots at Kent State, eventually leading to a storied career that included stints in college football and the NFL.

What are the top 10 highest-paid college football coaches? ›

Here are college football's highest-paid coaches ahead of the 2024 season:
  • Luke Fickell, Wisconsin ($7.6M) ...
  • Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State ($7.75M) ...
  • James Franklin, Penn State ($8.5M) ...
  • Brian Kelly, LSU ($9.9M) ...
  • Ryan Day, Ohio State ($10.2M) ...
  • Kirby Smart, Georgia ($10.7M) ...
  • Dabo Swinney, Clemson ($11.5M)
Feb 9, 2024

Is Nick Saban a billionaire? ›

Beyond his coaching success, Saban's net worth in 2024 stands at a staggering $70 million, a testament to his financial prowess and strategic investments. Saban's coaching journey began with humble roots at Kent State, eventually leading to a storied career that included stints in college football and the NFL.

How much does Nick Saban make compared to NFL coaches? ›

The average NFL coach makes about $4.8m annually. Nick Saban's contract at Alabama is worth ~$7m annually. He's by far the highest. Jim Harbaugh, Mark D'Antonio, Bob Stoops, Kevin Sumlin, and Charlie Strong all make north of $5m annually.

What is Nick Saban's buyout? ›

A year after signing a megadeal and extension at Alabama, Nick Saban was confirmed to be the highest-paid coach in college football with a yearly compensation figure of $11.4 million. His buyout, as of Dec. 1, 2023, is the 10th-most in the sport at $44.8 million.

Who is the highest-paid coach in college history? ›

Kirby Smart, Georgia Bulldogs.

What car does Saban drive? ›

Nick Saban is one of the most successful college football coaches in history and is also a huge Ferrari fan. However, Saban admitted on Thursday on The Pat McAfee Show that he only drives his Ferrari on Wednesdays if it is not raining. So, why does he drive the car only on sunny Wednesdays?

Is Nick Saban underpaid? ›

Nick Saban is one of the highest-paid coaches in college football, and his success at Alabama has led to a significant increase in the program's revenue and success on the field.

What was Nick Saban's salary when he retired? ›

Nick Saban contract details

He made $10.695 million and (assuming he is paid through the remainder of the contract year) $11.1 million, respectively. Saban was scheduled to have made another $71.8 million over the remaining six years of his contract.

How much does Deion Sanders make? ›

Deion Sanders' contract with Colorado is a five-year deal worth up to $29.5 million, and that's before any bonuses or incentives.

What is Andy Reid's salary? ›

Top 10 Highest-Paid Coaches in U.S. Sports
RankCoachAverage Annual Salary
1Andy Reid$20M $20M $20M
2Sean Payton$18M $18M $18M
3Steve Kerr$17.5M $17.5M $17.5M
4Gregg Popovich$16M $16M $16M
6 more rows
Apr 23, 2024

Why is Nick Saban retiring? ›

In the end, Saban felt it was time to go. He said in the report that he had grown tired of going through assistant coaches, and no longer felt he could give potential staffers assurance that he would be the head coach long-term. Saban retired Jan. 10. Kalen DeBoer was hired as his replacement.

How many car dealerships does Nick Saban own? ›

Nick Saban owns 9 car dealerships 🤯 #fyp #nfl #football #collegefootballplayoff #alabamafootball #nicksaban #sportsbusiness.

Is Nick Saban married? ›

On December 18, 1971, Saban married Terry Constable, also from West Virginia. In 1973, he graduated from Kent State University with a bachelor's degree in business.

How much does Lane Kiffin make? ›

Kiffin's base compensation for the 2023 season was $8,750,000. He received an additional $250,000 on Dec. 31 for remaining at Ole Miss. He is due to make $8,850,000 in base salary in 2024, with an additional $150,000 on offer should he remain the Rebels' coach at the end of the calendar year.

Who are the highest-paid assistant coaches in college football? ›

Top 15 College Football Assistant Coach Salaries
  • Garrett Riley, Clemson (ACC): $2,050,000* (includes one-time signing bonus of $300,000)
  • Ryan Grubb, Washington (Pac-12): $2,000,004.
  • Jim Knowles, Ohio State (Big Ten): $1,957,000.
  • Glenn Schumann, Georgia (SEC): $1,902,000.
  • Jeff Lebby, Oklahoma (Big 12): $1,900,000.
Nov 17, 2023

Who are the top 10 paid coaches in the NFL? ›

Who are the best-paid coaches in the United States?
  • Bill Belichick, New England Paitrots NFL.
  • Sean Payton, Denver Broncos, NFL.
  • Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs, NBA.
  • Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks, NFL.
  • Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams, NFL.
  • Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers, NFL.
  • Monty Williams, Detroit Pistons, NBA.
Dec 4, 2023

How much does the Alabama football coach make in 2024? ›

Here's what the school will pay DeBoer in salary each year: 2024: $10 million. 2025: $10.25 million. 2026: $10.5 million.

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