Ranking all 14 SEC football head coaches according to salary in 2023
Over the past couple of decades college football has turned into a cash-printing juggernaut, which has in response seen the compensation for coaches and staff raise meteorically.
These days, the Southeastern Conference’s motto, “It just means more,” could easily include “money” as an addendum given the vast wealth its head coaches are accumulating — especially in comparison to their peers. The SEC’s multi-billion dollar product is coveted by sports fans from coast to coast… and beyond.
USA TODAY Sports recently released its updated database of salaries for Football Bowl Subdivision schools, which included 119 of the 133 FBS head coaches and all 14 of the SEC’s skippers. Unsurprisingly, every SEC team was included among the top half of the list while seven landed in the top 10.
Below is a look at the full rankings along with the relevant data provided by the USA TODAY Sports database. All bonuses paid are through 2022-23 and the buyout numbers are valid as of Dec. 1, 2023.
Nick Saban - Alabama Crimson Tide
Overall Rank: No. 1
Total Pay: $11,407,000*
School Pay: $11,107,000
Maximum Bonus: $1,100,000
Bonuses Paid: $300,000
School Buyout: $44,800,000
Read more at Roll Tide Wire
Kirby Smart - Georgia Bulldogs
Overall Rank: No. 3
Total Pay: $10,705,600
School Pay: $10,505,600
Maximum Bonus: $1,525,000
Bonuses Paid: $1,350,000
School Buyout: $92,625,000
Read more at UGA Wire
Brian Kelly - LSU Tigers
Overall Rank: No. 6
Total Pay: $9,975,000*
School Pay: $9,975,000
Maximum Bonus: $1,325,000
Bonuses Paid: $575,000
School Buyout: $70,018,333
Read more at LSU Tigers Wire
Jimbo Fisher - Texas A&M Aggies
Overall Rank: No. 7
Total Pay: $9,150,000
School Pay: $9,150,000
Maximum Bonus: $1,500,000
Bonuses Paid: $0
School Buyout: $77,562,500
Read more at Aggies Wire
Mark Stoops - Kentucky Wildcats
Overall Rank: No. 8
Total Pay: $9,013,600
School Pay: $9,000,000
Maximum Bonus: $3,050,000
Bonuses Paid: $150,000
School Buyout: $51,187,500
Josh Heupel - Tennessee Volunteers
Overall Rank: No. 9
Total Pay: $9,000,000
School Pay: $9,000,000
Maximum Bonus: $1,700,000
Bonuses Paid: $400,000
School Buyout: $46,500,000
Read more at Vols Wire
Lane Kiffin - Ole Miss Rebels
Overall Rank: No. 10
Total Pay: $9,000,000*
School Pay: $9,000,000
Maximum Bonus: $2,600,000
Bonuses Paid: $450,000
School Buyout: —
Billy Napier - Florida Gators
Overall Rank: No. 16
Total Pay: $7,270,000*
School Pay: $6,920,000
Maximum Bonus: $1,600,000
Bonuses Paid: $200,000
School Buyout: $32,384,716
Hugh Freeze - Auburn Tigers
Overall Rank: No. 20
Total Pay: $6,500,000*
School Pay: $6,500,000
Maximum Bonus: $3,300,000
Bonuses Paid: —
School Buyout: $25,187,500
Read more at Auburn Wire
Sam Pittman - Arkansas Razorbacks
Overall Rank: No. 22
Total Pay: $6,357,500*
School Pay: $6,350,000
Maximum Bonus: $1,450,000
Bonuses Paid: $175,000
School Buyout: —
Read more at Razorbacks Wire
Shane Beamer - South Carolina Gamecocks
Overall Rank: No. 24
Total Pay: $6,125,000
School Pay: $6,125,000
Maximum Bonus: $1,450,000
Bonuses Paid: $100,000
School Buyout: $18,255,521
Eli Drinkwitz - Missouri Tigers
Overall Rank: No. 25
Total Pay: $6,000,000
School Pay: $6,000,000
Maximum Bonus: $1,275,000
Bonuses Paid: $125,000
School Buyout: $20,437,500
Clark Lea - Vanderbilt Commodores
Overall Rank: No. 56
Total Pay: $3,051,881
School Pay: $3,051,881
Maximum Bonus: —
Bonuses Paid: —
School Buyout: —
Zach Arnett - Mississippi State Bulldogs
Overall Rank: No. 58
Total Pay: $3,000,000*
School Pay: $3,000,000
Maximum Bonus: $2,200,000
Bonuses Paid: —
School Buyout: —
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