Hey y'all, just out of curiosity, how much do college football coaches usually make? I heard that some coaches make big bucks, but is it true for all colleges? I'm asking mainly about Division I football coaches, but any insight would be appreciated.
Hi there! College football coaches' salaries can vary widely depending on various factors such as the division they're coaching in, the program's success, and the school's budget for athletics. Division I football coaches, particularly those in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), often have the highest salaries. In many cases, they are the highest-paid employees in their respective universities.
For top-tier FBS coaches, salaries can be in the millions of dollars per year. For instance, coaches from power conferences like the SEC and the Big Ten can make anywhere from $4 million to $10 million annually. On the other hand, coaches at smaller Division I schools or in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) can make significantly less, with some earning between $150,000 to $400,000 per year.
It's important to note that these salary figures may not include bonuses, such as performance incentives for winning a certain number of games or reaching a bowl game. Also, perks like housing, cars, club memberships, and more may be part of the overall compensation package.
So, while not all college football coaches make "big bucks" in the sense of multi-million-dollar salaries, many Division I football coaches are well-compensated, especially if they lead successful programs in the FBS. Keep in mind that coaching salaries will be lower in Divisions II and III, as athletic budgets and revenue from football will generally be smaller.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.