In a season where college football programs invested millions in their coaching staffs, a handful of names stand out for all the wrong reasons. High salaries come with high expectations, but not all coaches have delivered results that justify their paychecks. Whether it’s failing to win big games, faltering against rivals, or outright underperformance, these coaches represent the most overpaid in college football in 2024.
Most Overpaid Coaches in College Football in 2024
| Rank | Coach | Salary (2024) | Record (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Day (Ohio State) | $10.02 million | 10–2 |
| 2 | Mike Norvell (Florida State) | $10 million | 2–10 |
| 3 | Luke Fickell (Wisconsin) | $7.5 million | 6–6 |
| 4 | Mark Stoops (Kentucky) | $9 million | 4–8 |
| 5 | Brent Brennan (Arizona) | $2.7 million | 4–8 |
1. Ryan Day – Ohio State
Ryan Day’s $10.02 million salary demands results at the highest level, but his track record raises serious questions. In 2024, Ohio State missed out on the Big Ten title after a devastating loss to Michigan—Day’s fourth straight loss to the Wolverines. His 1–4 record in this rivalry is a glaring weakness, especially when compared to the dominance of his predecessors, Jim Tressel (9–1) and Urban Meyer (7–0).
Day also struggles on the biggest stages. He is 2–7 against top 5 opponents, with losses to Alabama in the 2021 National Championship and Georgia in the 2022 Peach Bowl. Despite elite recruiting classes and top-tier resources, Day has failed to deliver a national title. For a coach paid to be elite, consistently falling short in marquee games makes him the most overpaid in the sport.
2. Mike Norvell – Florida State
Mike Norvell’s $10 million salary became an albatross for Florida State in 2024. After entering the season ranked 10th in preseason polls, the Seminoles collapsed to a 2–10 record—their worst in 50 years. Blowout losses to unranked teams and a dismal showing against rival Florida (31–11) only amplified the frustration among fans and alumni.
Norvell has access to one of the most storied programs in college football and recently signed a contract extension that ties him to FSU until 2031. Yet, his inability to turn the program around—despite a talented roster—places him squarely at number two on this list. The Seminoles’ return on investment is nonexistent.
3. Luke Fickell – Wisconsin
Luke Fickell was hailed as the coach who could elevate Wisconsin into national contention. Instead, the Badgers stumbled to a 6–6 record in 2024, missing a bowl game for the first time since 2001. For a coach earning $7.5 million annually, this performance is far below expectations.
Wisconsin’s offensive struggles, particularly in key Big Ten games, have been glaring. Fickell’s mandate was to modernize the program and challenge Ohio State and Michigan in the conference. So far, the results haven’t justified the hefty contract Wisconsin committed to him.
4. Mark Stoops – Kentucky
Mark Stoops has been at Kentucky for over a decade, but his $9 million salary in 2024 looks like a misstep for a team that finished 4–8. The Wildcats struggled throughout the season, capping it off with a humiliating 41–14 loss to Louisville.
Stoops’ buyout of over $44 million makes his contract one of the most prohibitive in college football, tying Kentucky’s hands even as the program stagnates. His inability to guide Kentucky to consistent bowl eligibility, despite SEC-level resources, puts him high on the list of overpaid coaches.
5. Brent Brennan – Arizona
Brent Brennan’s first season at Arizona was a disaster. Hired to maintain the program’s momentum after a 10–2 campaign in 2023, Brennan oversaw a 4–8 collapse in 2024. His $2.7 million salary might seem modest compared to others on this list, but for a program expecting success, it represents a poor investment, especially after being ranked 21st in the preseason polls.
Arizona’s late-season collapse, punctuated by a blowout loss to Arizona State (49–7), underscored Brennan’s struggles. While his contract is less burdensome, the steep decline in performance makes him an easy inclusion here.
Commentary
Coaching salaries in college football have reached astronomical levels, but the gap between pay and performance has never been wider. For programs like Ohio State, Florida State, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Arizona, the results in 2024 were disappointing at best and catastrophic at worst. As these schools evaluate their investments, fans and boosters will continue to demand accountability for these massive paychecks.
