Nick Saban remains the highest-paid college football coach in 2023 with an $11.7 million salary, though the compensation rates of his peers have certainly taken an exponential jump over the past few years.
Kirby Smart and Dabo Swinney also make north of $10 million per year. The college football world is also pretty sure that USC coach Lincoln Riley does too, but since that’s a private school, it’s impossible to verify those numbers without Riley volunteering the information.
Former Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker did appear on this list, as he was being paid a $9.5 million annual salary to lead the Spartans. Since he’s been fired for cause, though, he will not receive any of the money on the remainder of his contract.
It was not so long ago that top college football coaches only made $1 or $2 million.
Highest Paid College Football Coaches 2023
| Rank | Coach | School | Salary |
| 1 | Nick Saban | Alabama | $11.7 million |
| 2 | Kirby Smart | Georgia | $11.25 million |
| 3 | Dabo Swinney | Clemson | $10.5 million |
| 4 | Lincoln Riley | USC | $10(ish) million |
| T-5 | Brian Kelly | LSU | $9.5 million |
| T-5 | Ryan Day | Ohio State | $9.5 million |
| 7 | Matt Rhule | Nebraska | $9.25 million |
| T-8 | Lane Kiffin | Ole Miss | $9 million |
| T-8 | Jimbo Fisher | Texas A&M | $9 million |
| T-8 | Josh Heupel | Tennessee | $9 million |
| 11 | Mario Cristobal | Miami (FL) | $8 million |
| 12 | Luke Fickell | Wisconsin | $7.8 million |
| 13 | Jim Harbaugh | Michigan | $7.05 million |
| 14 | James Franklin | Penn State | $7 million |
| 15 | PJ Fleck | Minnesota | $6 million |
| 16 | Chip Kelly | UCLA | $5.6 million |
| 17 | Steve Sarkisian | Texas | $5.45 million |
College Football Odds at the Sportsbook
Betting on college football odds is a unique way to add more excitement to each season.
With updated spreads, over/under totals, moneylines, and more, the sportsbook has a variety of options for everyone.
If you’re new to the sportsbook, register today with BetMGM’s welcome promo. And check out updated sportsbook promos each day of the year.
