Highest-Paid College Basketball Coaches: Top Salaries for Coaches

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Kansas head coach Bill Self listens as Kevin McCullar Jr. gives a speech on Senior Night after they clinched a share of the Big 12 regular-season championship with a win over Texas Tech in an NCAA college basketball game in Lawrence, Kan., Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
(AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
Ryan Hannable @RyanHannable Mar 26, 2024, 3:04 PM

Prior to the 2023-24 college basketball season, Kentucky’s John Calipari was the highest-paid coach.

But that all changed in November when Kansas’ Bill Self was given a new contract, making him the highest-paid college basketball coach, taking home $9.6 million a year.

Five of the top 10 highest-paid coaches are in the Sweet 16.

Below are the rest of the highest-paid college basketball coaches, according to USA Today.

Highest-Paid College Basketball Coaches

RankHead CoachSchoolTotal Pay (2023-24)
1Bill SelfKansas$9.6 million
2John CalipariKentucky$8.5 million
3Tom IzzoMichigan St.$6.2 million
4Bruce PealAuburn$5.7 million
5Rick BarnesTennessee$5.7 million
6Scott DrewBaylor$5.1 million
7Dan HurleyUConn$5 million
8Brad UnderwoodIllinois$4.7 million
9Kelvin SampsonHouston$4.6 million
10Nate OatsAlabama$4.5 million

Bill Self Salary

Self signed an extension in November 2023. The 60-year-old will make more than $13 million in compensation for the 2023-24 season and $53 million over the next five years, a number that includes $7.2 million in salary previously deferred due to COVID-19.

John Calipari Salary

Calipari’s contract runs through the 2028-29 season, which has him making $8.5 million annually. His buyout is reportedly close to $35 million, according to USA Today.

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About the Author

Ryan Hannable

Read More @RyanHannable

Ryan Hannable is a Content Managing Editor on the Web Content Team for BetMGM. Previously, he was a New England Patriots beat writer for WEEI in Boston. He also has published a golf book, “The Ultimate Book of Golf Trivia: 600 Questions and Answers.”

Ryan Hannable is a Content Managing Editor on the Web Content Team for BetMGM. Previously, he was a New England Patriots beat writer for WEEI in Boston. He also has published a golf book, “The Ultimate Book of Golf Trivia: 600 Questions and Answers.”