College football's top-25 highest-paid coaches in 2025

Sep 6, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier looks on before a game against the South Florida Bulls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti leads the Hoosier onto the field before the start of the Indiana versus Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.

Sep 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders looks on from the sideline during the first half against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Jan 10, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian before the College Football Playoff semifinal against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning looks on as the Oregon Ducks host the Montana State Bobcats on Aug. 30, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

Money makes the world go, and every college football fan knows there'a a ton of cash flowing around the sport, from media rights deals to players capitalizing on their name, image and likeness.

But, of course, college football coaches' salaries are far from cheap. More than 100 coaches are making more than $1 million, and nine coaches are making at least $10 million this year. Some are even the highest-paid public employee in their respective states.

And thanks to USA TODAY Sports' latest detailed salary database published Wednesday, we know how much most college football coaches are making this season — and what these eight-figure buyouts are like. (Obtaining this information from private schools is trickier because they're not obligated to report salary data.)

So here’s a look at the top-25 highest-paid college football coaches in 2025 by total pay, according to USA TODAY Sports.

25. Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State: $7,442,000

24. Billy Napier, Florida: $7,470,000

23. Brent Venables, Oklahoma: $7,552,750

22. Jedd Fisch, Washington: $7,575,024

21. Luke Fickell, Wisconsin: $7,825,000

20. Shane Beamer, South Carolina: $8,150,000

19. Bret Bielema, Illinois: $8,200,000

18. Curt Cignetti, Indiana: $8,300,000

17. Mario Cristobal, Miami: $8,302,883

16. James Franklin, Penn State: $8,500,000

15. Matt Rhule, Nebraska: $8,500,000