I once read that no occupation in America has less job security than a college football head coach. Look at Tennessee. The Volunteers are on their fifth head coach since 2009. Florida’s is on its fourth. But the risk of being fired after just a year or two does not outweigh the reward — millions of dollars to coach college football.
Using USA TODAY’s coaching salary database, SportsNaut compiled a list of the highest paid college football coaches for the 2023 season, taking into account new contracts that have been signed already this offseason.
The SEC now has five coaches ranking in the top-10 nationally in salary. Georgia’s Kirby Smart, fresh off of his second consecutive national championship, ranks second in the SEC with a salary of $11.3 million.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel cashed in on Tuesday with an extension through the 2028 season that will pay him $9 million annually.
Here’s an updated ranking of SEC head coaches by salary:
14: Zach Arnett - Mississippi State
2023 salary: $3 million
Year hired: 2023
13: Clark Lea - Vanderbilt
2023 salary: $3.5 million
Year hired: 2020
Overall record at school: 7-17
12: Sam Pittman - Arkansas
2023 salary: $6.2 million
Year hired: 2019
Overall record at school: 19-17
T-9. Hugh Freeze - Auburn
2023 salary: $6.5 million
Year hired: 2023
T-9. Eli Drinkwitz
2023 salary: $6.5 million
Year hired: 2020
Overall record at school: 17-19
T-9. Shane Beamer - South Carolina
2023 salary: $6.5 million
Year hired: 2021
Overall record at school: 15-11
8. Billy Napier - Florida
Year hired: 2022
Overall record at school: 6-7
T-5. Mark Stoops - Kentucky
2023 salary: $9 million
Year hired: 2012
Overall record at school: 66-59
T-5. Lane Kiffin - Ole Miss
2023 salary: $9 million
Year hired: 2020
Overall record at school: 23-13
T-5. Josh Huepel - Tennessee
2023 salary: $9 million
Year hired: 2021
Overall record at school: 18-8
T-3. Brian Kelly - LSU
2023 salary: $9.5 million
Year hired: 2022
Overall record at school: 10-4
T-3. Jimbo Fisher - Texas A&M
2023 salary: $9.5 million
Year hired: 2018
Overall record at school: 39-21
2. Kirby Smart - Georgia
2023 salary: $11.3 million
Year hired: 2016
Overall record at school: 81-15
1. Nick Saban - Alabama
2023 salary: $11.7 million
Year hired: 2007
Overall record at school: 189-27
