College basketball coaches are some of the highest-paid figures in all of sports, and you might be surprised just how much they’re earning in 2026.
From championship-winning legends to rising stars turning programs around, these coaches command massive salaries thanks to March Madness revenue, lucrative media deals, and their ability to recruit top talent.
In this guide, you’ll discover who tops the list of the highest-paid college basketball coaches right now, including both men’s and women’s programs.
We’ll break down how their contracts work, what makes up those eye-popping paychecks, and why schools are willing to invest millions in the right coach.
How College Basketball Coach Salaries Work
When you hear that a college basketball coach makes $10 million a year, that number usually isn’t just one simple paycheck.
Coach salaries are actually made up of several different parts that all add up to create those headline-grabbing totals.
Base Salary vs Bonuses vs Retention Pay
Think of a coach’s total compensation like a three-layer cake. Each layer adds something different to the final package:
| Salary Component | What It Means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | Guaranteed money paid no matter what | $4 million per year |
| Performance Bonuses | Extra pay for hitting specific goals | $500K for NCAA Tournament appearance |
| Retention Pay | Loyalty bonuses for staying at the school | $1 million every three years |
Performance bonuses can really add up throughout a successful season:
- Win the conference championship? That could be $100,000 to $250,000
- Make the NCAA Tournament? Another $200,000 to $500,000
- Reach the Final Four? Potentially $500,000 or more
- Win a national title? Some coaches earn $1 million+ for cutting down the nets
Retention pay is basically a “please don’t leave us” payment that rewards loyalty. Schools use these bonuses to make it financially painful for coaches to jump to rival programs.
Rolling and Lifetime-Style Contracts
You’ve probably heard about coaches signing 10-year deals or even “lifetime” contracts. These aren’t always what they sound like.
Rolling contracts automatically extend themselves to keep the coach secure:
- A coach signs a six-year rolling deal in 2025
- After the 2026 season, it automatically extends to end in 2032
- The coach always has multiple years guaranteed, which helps recruit players
- It shows recruits: “This coach will be here for your entire college career.”
Lifetime contracts sound permanent, but they’re really just long-term agreements. They’re more about showing commitment and stability than actually lasting someone’s entire career.
Schools can still buy them out or renegotiate if things go south.
Why Salaries Fluctuate Year to Year
Coach salaries can change quite a bit from one year to the next, even without signing a new contract. Here’s why:
Built-in raises: Most contracts include automatic salary increases. A coach might start at $8 million but get scheduled bumps to $8.5 million the next year, then $9 million after that.
Performance varies: A coach who reaches the Elite Eight one year might only make the Sweet 16 the next, which means different bonus payments. One championship run can temporarily spike a coach’s earnings by millions.
Contract extensions happen constantly: When a coach succeeds, schools often tear up old deals for bigger ones to keep them from leaving. If a mid-major coach reaches the Final Four, a contract renegotiation is likely.
Understanding these pieces helps explain why the numbers you see in salary rankings aren’t always straightforward, and why coaching college basketball has become such a lucrative profession.
Highest Paid College Basketball Coaches
Here’s the complete ranking of college basketball’s biggest earners, from championship winners to program builders who’ve earned every dollar of their massive contracts.
1. Bill Self – Kansas Jayhawks
Makes about: $10.2 million every year
Bill Self earns more money than any other college basketball coach. He helped Kansas win the big championship in 2022, and the school gave him a lifetime deal with pay raises built right in.
Self keeps Kansas at the top year after year. His teams make it to the Final Four all the time, and he runs the Big 12 conference.
Lots of his players go on to play in the NBA. Kansas knows he’s worth every penny.
2. John Calipari – Arkansas Razorbacks
Makes about: $9 million every year
John Calipari shocked everyone when he left Kentucky for Arkansas in 2024. Arkansas offered him a huge contract to come rebuild their team.
Calipari won a national championship at Kentucky and is known as the best recruiter in college basketball. He’s amazing at finding talented high school players who go straight to the NBA after one year.
Even though he’s starting over at a new school, he’s still one of the most valuable coaches around.
3. Dan Hurley – UConn Huskies
Makes about: $6.4 million every year
Dan Hurley became a legend by winning two national championships back-to-back in 2023 and 2024. His teams play tough, smart basketball, and UConn is now the best program in the country.
The Los Angeles Lakers offered him $70 million to coach their NBA team, but he said no and stayed at UConn. The school was so grateful that they gave him a big raise to keep him from leaving again.
4. Tom Izzo – Michigan State Spartans
Makes about: $6.2 million every year
Tom Izzo has coached Michigan State since 1995, making him one of the most respected coaches in college basketball.
He’s won one national championship, made it to eight Final Fours, and his teams always compete in March Madness.
Izzo is famous for building tough players who never give up. He’s stayed loyal to Michigan State for 30 years, and they can’t imagine anyone else leading their program.
5. Mick Cronin – UCLA Bruins
Makes about: $5.5 million every year
Mick Cronin came to UCLA from Cincinnati and brought his tough defensive style with him. He’s turned the Bruins back into a winning program with several deep tournament runs.
Cronin’s teams play hard-nosed basketball and compete for conference titles every season. UCLA had to pay him well to keep top coaching talent in Los Angeles, where there’s lots of competition.
6. Rick Barnes – Tennessee Volunteers
Makes about: $5.4 million every year
Rick Barnes has made Tennessee into one of the best teams in the SEC and the whole country. He’s won multiple conference championships and takes the Volunteers to the NCAA Tournament regularly.
Barnes knows how to develop players who go on to the NBA. Tennessee gives him big bonuses to reward him for staying loyal and keeping the program at such a high level.
7. Todd Golden – Florida Gators
Makes about: $5 million every year
Todd Golden is a young coach who came to Florida from San Francisco. He’s quickly become one of the SEC’s rising stars with his modern offense and strong recruiting.
Even though he’s just getting started at Florida, the school gave him a big contract to show they’re serious about competing for championships. Golden’s youth and potential make him a smart investment for the future.
8. Chris Beard – Ole Miss Rebels
Makes about: $5 million every year
Chris Beard is rebuilding his coaching career at Ole Miss. He’s known for creating strong defenses and turning struggling programs into winners quickly.
Beard once coached a team all the way to the national championship game. Ole Miss paid him lots of money, hoping he can make the Rebels into championship contenders, too.
9. Nate Oats – Alabama Crimson Tide
Makes about: $4.7 million every year
Nate Oats has turned Alabama basketball into a scoring machine and a real threat to win it all. His fast-paced style and great recruiting have made Alabama a top-10 team.
He’s won SEC titles and made deep runs in March Madness. Alabama gave him raises to keep him from leaving and to compete with other big SEC schools.
10. Kelvin Sampson – Houston Cougars
Makes about: $4.5 million every year
Kelvin Sampson has built Houston into a powerhouse with multiple Final Four appearances. His teams play incredible defense and develop players who make it to the NBA.
When Sampson arrived, Houston needed to rebuild. Now they’re competing for national championships every year. The school’s investment shows how far the program has come in just over ten years.
11. Scott Drew – Baylor Bears
Makes about: $4.4 million every year
Scott Drew led Baylor to the 2021 national championship after taking over a program that was in big trouble back in 2003. He slowly built the Bears into one of the best teams in the Big 12.
Drew stayed patient and loyal to Baylor, and it paid off with a championship. His contract rewards him for sticking with the program and turning it into something special.
12. Mark Pope – Kentucky Wildcats
Makes about: $4.3 million every year
Mark Pope came back to coach at Kentucky, where he once played basketball. He coached successfully at smaller schools before getting this job.
Kentucky paid him well because they’re serious about staying one of the greatest basketball programs ever. Pope knows how to build winning teams and develop players, which is exactly what Kentucky wants.
13. Tommy Lloyd – Arizona Wildcats
Makes about: $4.2 million every year
Tommy Lloyd was an assistant coach at Gonzaga for years before becoming Arizona’s head coach. Right away, he won conference championships and made deep tournament runs.
His creative offense and strong recruiting keep Arizona among the nation’s best teams. The school gave him raises to make sure he doesn’t leave for another job.
14. Grant McCasland – Texas Tech Red Raiders
Makes about: $4 million every year
Grant McCasland came to Texas Tech from North Texas and has the Red Raiders competing with the best teams in the Big 12. His defensive style fits perfectly with what Texas Tech basketball is all about.
Even though he’s new to the school, his early success earned him good pay. Texas Tech believes in his ability to build championship teams.
15. Matt Painter – Purdue Boilermakers
Makes about: $4 million every year
Matt Painter has coached Purdue since 2005, and his teams compete for the Big Ten title almost every season. He’s won multiple conference championships and regularly makes the NCAA Tournament.
Painter is great at coaching big players and helping them get ready for the NBA. Purdue values his loyalty and consistent winning, so they make sure his contract keeps him competitive with other top coaches.
16. Buzz Williams – Texas A&M Aggies
Salary: ~$4 million per year
Buzz Williams has turned Texas A&M into a tough, competitive SEC program since arriving from Virginia Tech.
His intense coaching style and focus on defense have helped the Aggies punch above their weight in a loaded conference.
Williams knows how to get the most out of his players and has led A&M to multiple tournament appearances. His energy and proven track record at multiple schools made him worth the big contract Texas A&M offered.
17. Sean Miller – Texas Longhorns
Salary: ~$3.9 million per year
Sean Miller took over as head coach of the Texas Longhorns after leaving Xavier, bringing instant credibility and high expectations to the program.
Known for his strong recruiting connections and disciplined coaching style, Miller has a long track record of NCAA Tournament success.
He previously led multiple teams to deep March Madness runs and is respected for building tough, competitive rosters.
Texas hired Miller to keep the Longhorns among the nation’s elite and competitive in a powerful conference landscape.
18. Fred Hoiberg – Nebraska Cornhuskers
Salary: ~$3.8 million per year
Fred Hoiberg is working to bring winning basketball to Nebraska, a school better known for football. The former NBA coach and Iowa State star brings professional experience and offensive creativity to Lincoln.
While still building toward consistent tournament appearances, Hoiberg’s track record and modern approach earned him a firm contract.
Nebraska is betting on its system, and recruiting can finally make the Cornhuskers a regular Big Ten competitor.
19. Dusty May – Michigan Wolverines
Salary: ~$3.75 million per year
Dusty May shocked the college basketball world by leaving Florida Atlantic for Michigan after leading FAU to the 2023 Final Four.
His creative offensive schemes and ability to build winning programs quickly caught Michigan’s attention. May transformed Florida Atlantic from a mid-major afterthought into a national story.
Now Michigan is paying him handsomely to bring that same magic to Ann Arbor and restore the Wolverines to Big Ten championship contention.
20. Chris Jans – Mississippi State Bulldogs
Salary: ~$3.7 million per year
Chris Jans has Mississippi State playing tough, competitive basketball in the loaded SEC. His defensive systems and blue-collar approach have made the Bulldogs relevant in a conference full of higher-profile programs.
Jans built his reputation by winning at New Mexico State before taking the Mississippi State job.
His ability to get maximum effort from his teams and compete with bigger-name programs earned him a solid contract in Starkville.
21. Brad Underwood – Illinois Fighting Illini
Salary: ~$3.6 million per year
Brad Underwood has brought winning basketball back to Illinois after stops at multiple schools. His teams play hard-nosed defense and compete for Big Ten championships year after year.
Underwood’s ability to recruit top talent to Champaign and develop players into pros has made Illinois a force again.
His success in rebuilding the Fighting Illini into a national contender earned him a contract that keeps him among the Big Ten’s top-paid coaches.
22. Dennis Gates – Missouri Tigers
Salary: ~$3.5 million per year
Dennis Gates arrived at Missouri from Cleveland State and brought instant energy to the Tigers’ program. His up-tempo style and recruiting success have made Mizzou competitive in the tough SEC.
Gates built his reputation by turning Cleveland State into a winner before getting his power conference shot.
Missouri is betting big that his coaching ability and personality can bring championship basketball back to Columbia after years of struggling in the league.
23. Jamie Dixon – TCU Horned Frogs
Salary: ~$3.4 million per year
Jamie Dixon has built TCU into a legitimate Big 12 contender after years of success at Pittsburgh.
His experienced coaching and ability to develop tough teams have made the Horned Frogs relevant in one of basketball’s toughest conferences.
Dixon led TCU to deep tournament runs and proved the program can compete with traditional basketball powers. His track record at multiple schools made him worth the investment for a program looking to establish itself.
24. Dana Altman – Oregon Ducks
Salary: ~$3.3 million per year
Dana Altman has been Oregon’s coach since 2010 and consistently produces tournament teams in the Pac-12. His ability to recruit talent and develop players into winners has made the Ducks a program others respect.
Altman’s teams have reached multiple Final Fours and compete for conference titles regularly.
His long tenure and steady success have earned him a strong contract that reflects his value to Oregon basketball over more than a decade.
25. Dawn Staley – South Carolina Gamecocks
Salary: ~$3.2 million per year
Dawn Staley is the highest-paid women’s college basketball coach and has earned every penny with dominant success.
She’s led South Carolina to multiple national championships and has built the Gamecocks into women’s basketball royalty.
Staley’s recruiting skills and Hall of Fame career make her a highly respected figure. Her contract reflects her championship success and leadership in women’s college basketball.
26. Eric Musselman – USC Trojans
Salary: ~$3.1 million per year
Eric Musselman moved from Arkansas to USC and brought his winning intensity to Southern California. His track record includes multiple Elite Eight appearances and a reputation for maximizing talent through tough coaching.
Musselman’s NBA background and ability to recruit transfer portal stars have made him valuable wherever he goes.
USC invested in him to bring championship-level basketball to Los Angeles and compete with the Big Ten’s best programs.
27. Bruce Pearl – Auburn Tigers
Salary: ~$3 million per year
Bruce Pearl has turned Auburn into one of the SEC’s most exciting programs with high-energy basketball. His teams play fast, compete hard, and have reached multiple Final Fours under his leadership.
Pearl’s personality and recruiting ability have made Auburn basketball must-watch entertainment in football country.
His success at multiple schools and ability to build winning cultures earned him a strong contract that keeps Auburn competitive with SEC rivals.
28. Jerome Tang – Kansas State Wildcats
Salary: ~$2.9 million per year
Jerome Tang arrived at Kansas State from Baylor and immediately made the Wildcats relevant again. His energetic coaching style and connection with players helped K-State reach the Elite Eight in his first season.
Tang’s rapid success and infectious personality made him one of college basketball’s feel-good stories.
Kansas State rewarded his incredible debut with a contract extension that shows its commitment to keeping him in Manhattan long-term.
29. Mike Woodson – Indiana Hoosiers
Salary: ~$2.8 million per year
Mike Woodson returned home to Indiana after a long NBA coaching career to restore the Hoosiers basketball. His professional experience and connection to IU’s glory days made him an appealing choice for the program.
Woodson is working to bring Indiana back to Big Ten championship contention after years of disappointing results.
His NBA background and love for the program earned him a solid contract as Indiana invests in recapturing its basketball tradition.
30. Shaka Smart – Marquette Golden Eagles
Salary: ~$2.7 million per year
Shaka Smart has revitalized Marquette basketball and made the Golden Eagles a Big East power again. His up-tempo style and player development have led to multiple tournament appearances and conference success.
Smart rebuilt his coaching reputation at Marquette after mixed results at Texas. His ability to recruit and win in a tough conference earned him contract extensions that reflect his value to the program’s resurgence.
31. Leonard Hamilton – Florida State Seminoles
Salary: ~$2.6 million per year
Leonard Hamilton has been Florida State’s coach since 2002 and has built the Seminoles into consistent ACC contenders. His patient approach and focus on length and athleticism have made FSU a tournament regular.
Hamilton’s longevity and steady success have given Florida State a basketball identity in a football-dominated school.
At over 75 years old, he remains one of college basketball’s most respected figures and continues earning a competitive salary for his results.
Average Salary of a Division I College Basketball Coach
While the top coaches earn millions, most Division I basketball coaches make far less than the names you see on television every March. The gap between elite programs and smaller schools is massive.
Power Five vs Mid-Major Pay Ranges
The conference a coach works in makes a massive difference in their paycheck. Power conferences like the SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12 have much bigger budgets than the minor leagues.
| Conference Level | Average Salary Range | Example Schools |
|---|---|---|
| Power Conferences | $2.5 million – $4 million | Kansas, Duke, Kentucky |
| Top Mid-Majors | $500,000 – $1.5 million | Gonzaga, VCU, San Diego State |
| Lower Mid-Majors | $200,000 – $500,000 | Most WAC, MAAC schools |
| Low-Major Programs | $100,000 – $250,000 | Smaller conferences |
Power conference coaches benefit from massive TV deals and March Madness payouts. Mid-major coaches can earn solid salaries at programs with strong traditions, but lower-tier Division I programs often struggle to compete financially.
How Elite Salaries Compare to the National Average
The difference between elite coaches and average Division I coaches is staggering:
- National average for all D-I coaches: Approximately $1 million per year
- Top 10 coaches: $4 million to $10 million per year
- Bottom 100 coaches: Under $300,000 per year
Bill Self’s $10.2 million salary is roughly 10 times higher than what the average Division I coach earns. Here’s the reality:
- Only about 30-40 coaches earn over $3 million annually
- Roughly 100 coaches make between $1 million and $3 million
- The remaining 250+ Division I coaches earn under $1 million
Why such a huge gap? Revenue drives everything. Power conference schools generate tens of millions from basketball, while smaller programs might lose money.
One magical tournament run can change everything for mid-major coaches, often doubling their salaries or leading to bigger job offers.
Wrapping Up
Coach salaries in college basketball can look shocking at first, but the numbers make more sense when wins, tournament runs, and program value are part of the picture.
The top names on this list are not only paid for coaching games, but they’re also paid for recruiting, building a culture, and keeping a team in the national spotlight year after year.
Still, these totals can change fast with new contracts, extensions, and bonus payouts, so that rankings may shift from one season to the next.
If a favorite coach wasn’t as high as expected, it could simply mean a new deal is still coming. Want the latest updates? Bookmark this page and share it with a fellow hoops fan.
