Kirby Smart topped the charts of the highest-paid college football coaches in 2024. Smart earned $10.5 million in his previous contract, and now Smart signed a ten-year contract extension that runs through 2033. Earlier, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was reigning the list with his 10-year contract that was signed in September 2022 but Kirby Smart is on the throne now. 

Now, with Georgia Bulldogs making Smart the highest-paid coach, other coaches stand near Smart in terms of earnings. And here’s a list of 5 highest-paid college football coaches. 

Top 5 highest-paid college football coaches

The collegiate football landscape has evolved enormously. A gateway to play in the NFL, and commence their football careers, players and coaches set their tone for the football career in the collegiate football arena.

From Kirby Smart to Kalen Deboer, here’s a list of 5 highest-paid college football coaches. 

Kirby Smart

The Georgia Bulldogs head coach recently signed a $130 million 10-year contract extension with the team. The deal provides Smart with $13 million in yearly salary, throning him as the highest-paid coach just above Dabo Swinney with $11 million. Entering his ninth season as the Bulldogs HC, Smart can also earn up to $1.5 million in bonuses.

Dabo Swinney

The Clemson University head coach Dabo Swinney is currently on a 10-year contract worth $115 million with the team. The contract that was signed in September 2022, made Swinney the highest-paid college football coach, then. Swinney’s deal secures him an $11.5 million annual salary.

Steve Sarkisian

The Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian’s previous salary of $5.8 million got an almost 78% increase. Earlier this year, Sarkisian signed a contract extension that runs through 2030. The new contract gives Sarkisian a yearly salary of $10.3 million, and it is set to increase by $100,000 yearly until 2030. Subsequently, that will make his salary to $10.9 million by 2030. 

Ryan Day

The Ohio State head coach Ryan Day earns $10.19 million yearly. Day signed a two-year extension in early 2022 that raised his salary to $9.5 million to $7.5 million. Moreover, in 2023 he got a raise of 5.25% that eventually made his salary $10.19 million. Every year, Ryan Day is eligible for a raise on Feb 1. 

Kalen Deboer

Back in March 2024, Alabama head coach Kalen Deboer signed an eight contract that will give him $10 million in his first year. Moreover, the salary is set to increase by $250,000 yearly which will provide him with $11.75 million yearly by the end of the deal in 2031.