Fresh off guiding Ohio State to its first national championship in a decade – and the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff title – Ryan Day has secured a massive contract extension that cements his place among the highest-paid head coaches in the sport.
Ohio State’s new deal with Day significantly increases his salary, catapulting him from No. 5 to No. 2 on the list of top-earning coaches.
His new annual compensation of $12.5 million surpasses the paychecks of USC’s Lincoln Riley, Texas’ Steve Sarkisian, and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney.
Since taking over from Urban Meyer in 2019, Day has steadily climbed the financial ranks, beginning with a $4.5 million salary.
His impressive 70-10 record and now a national title have justified Ohio State’s commitment to its head coach, extending his contract through 2031.
Despite the championship triumph, some Buckeye fans still want to see Day reverse his recent struggles against rival Michigan, having lost four straight matchups to “The Team Up North.”
With Day’s new deal in place, here’s how the top-earning coaches stack up heading into the 2025 season…
#10. Mark Stoops, Kentucky
Salary: $9,013,600
Stoops, one of the longest-tenured coaches in the SEC, has led Kentucky to two 10-win seasons but remains just four games over .500 overall. The Wildcats are coming off a disappointing 4-8 season, their worst under Stoops, including a 1-7 conference record.
#9. Brian Kelly, LSU
Salary: $9,975,000
LSU lured Kelly away from Notre Dame with a $100 million deal, but after two 10-win seasons, the Tigers stumbled to 8-4 in 2024. Adding to the frustration, top quarterback recruit Bryce Underwood flipped to Michigan, a major recruiting loss.
(Tied) #6. Kalen DeBoer, Alabama
Salary: $10,000,000
DeBoer stepped into one of the most pressure-packed roles in college football, replacing the legendary Nick Saban. His first season had mixed results, including losses to Vanderbilt and Tennessee, leading to Alabama’s first three-loss regular season since 2010 and no playoff appearance.
(Tied) #6. Mike Norvell, Florida State
Salary: $10,000,000
After leading Florida State to an undefeated ACC championship in 2023, Norvell signed an eight-year extension. However, 2024 was a disaster – the Seminoles finished 2-10, marking the program’s worst season in 50 years and raising questions about Norvell’s long-term future.
(Tied) #6. Bill Belichick, North Carolina
Salary: $10,000,000
In one of the most shocking moves in football history, six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick took over as North Carolina’s head coach. His $10 million salary doubles what Mack Brown made last year, but all eyes are on how he adjusts to the college game.
#5. Lincoln Riley, USC
Salary: $10,043,418
Three years in, USC is still waiting for Riley to prove he’s worth the hefty paycheck. His 25-14 record includes a brutal 6-6 finish in 2024, and a shaky defense continues to hold the Trojans back.
#4. Steve Sarkisian, Texas
Salary: $10,600,000
Unlike USC, Texas is thrilled with its investment. Sarkisian has taken the Longhorns to back-to-back College Football Playoffs and reached the SEC Championship Game in their first year in the conference.
#3. Dabo Swinney, Clemson
Salary: $11,132,775
Swinney signed a long-term extension in 2022, keeping him at Clemson through 2031. After missing the playoff from 2021-2023, the Tigers returned to the CFP in 2024, restoring some of their championship pedigree.
#2. Ryan Day, Ohio State
Salary: $12,500,000
Day’s contract extension not only rewards him for winning a national championship but also extends his tenure through 2031. However, despite the title, his record against Michigan (four straight losses) remains a sore spot for Buckeye fans.
#1. Kirby Smart, Georgia
Salary: $13,282,580
With two national titles and another SEC championship under his belt, Smart continues to set the standard. His latest extension runs through 2033, ensuring Georgia remains a powerhouse for the foreseeable future.
What are your thoughts on the top-10 highest-paid coaches???
