College football coaching salaries have detached from every other job on campus. Three coaches now earn at least $13 million a year — more than most NFL head coaches, at institutions where the players are not on payroll in the same way.
The Top of the 2026 List
| Coach | School | Reported pay |
|---|---|---|
| Curt Cignetti | Indiana | $13M+ (reported highest paid, March 2026) |
| Kirby Smart | Georgia | $13M |
| Lane Kiffin | — | $13M+ |
| Ryan Day | Ohio State | $12.5M |
| Dabo Swinney | Clemson | $11.5M |
The Contracts Behind the Numbers
- Kirby Smart signed a 10-year extension in May 2024 and has just completed his 10th season at Georgia, with two national championships.
- Ryan Day won the 2025 national championship and was rewarded with an extension running through 2031.
- Dabo Swinney is contracted at Clemson through the 2031 season.
The Number That Actually Runs the Sport: Buyouts
Salary is the headline; the buyout is the mechanism. If Clemson wanted to move on from Dabo Swinney, it would face a reported $57 million buyout through the end of December.
That figure explains more about college football than any win-loss record. A school weighing a coaching change is not only asking “can we do better?” but “can we afford $57 million to find out?” Long extensions with enormous buyouts buy stability for the coach — and lock the university in for years.
For Comparison
A $13 million college salary sits above most NFL head coaches and far above the officials who work the games: NFL referees earn an estimated $350,000 a season. The gap between the sideline and everyone else on the field has never been wider.
Related: What Is College Football 27? — EA Sports’ game launched July 9, 2026 with Dante Moore, Malachi Toney and Kewan Lacy on the cover.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is the highest-paid college football coach?
As of March 2026, Curt Cignetti was reported as the highest paid, followed by Kirby Smart and Lane Kiffin — each at $13 million or more.
How much does Kirby Smart make?
$13 million a year, on a 10-year extension signed in May 2024.
What is Dabo Swinney’s buyout?
A reported $57 million through the end of December; he is contracted through 2031.
How much does Ryan Day make?
$12.5 million, on an extension through 2031 after the 2025 national title.
Salary and buyout figures per Front Office Sports, On3, CBS Sports, Yahoo Sports and Saturday Down South reporting, 2026; college coaching pay includes base, supplemental and incentive components that vary by contract and are often reported rather than officially published. Photo: Michigan Stadium aerial by Lectrician2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
