Everyone knows college football is big business, with television contracts, the BCS, bowl games and sponsors pouring tons of cash into programs across the nation.
Many college football programs provide the primary source of revenue needed to operate entire athletic departments. In some cases, the monies generated from football programs fund portions of the universities general operating budget as well.
The key to a successful program begins with hiring a coach that can recruit talented players, and those players usually end up at major programs that make up the six BCS conferences.
Thus, the traditionally strong football programs are those that can attract a coach that can produce results. But getting those results costs money – and lots of it.
In fact, the money needed to hire a college football coach exceeds the annual salary of most university presidents.
Leading into the 2010 season, Bob Stoops is the highest paid college football coach in the nation with an annual salary of $4.303M. The Oklahoma Sooners coach is one of three coaches earning at least $4 million.
Florida’s Urban Meyer and USC coach Lane Kiffin each earn $4M annually, with Alabama’s Nick Saban not far behind at $3.9M. Rounding out the top five is LSU coach Les Miles with an annual salary of $3.751M.
The 11 highest paid college football coaches in America represent four of the six BCS conferences, with the SEC having five coaches among the highest paid followed by the Big 12, Pac-10 and Big Ten with two each.
College Football’s Highest Paid Coaches
1. Bob Stoops – Oklahoma Sooners – $4,303,000
2. Urban Meyer – Florida Gators – $4,000,000
2. Lane Kiffin – USC Trojans – $4,000,000
3. Nick Saban – Alabama Crimson Tide – $3,900,000
4. Les Miles – LSU Tigers – $3,751,000
5. Jim Tressel – Ohio State Buckeyes – $3,722,000
6. Mark Richt – Georgia Bulldogs – $3,096,576
7. Mack Brown – Texas Longhorns – $3,060,500
8. Kirk Ferentz – Iowa Hawkeyes – $3,024,500
9. Bobby Petrino – Arkansas Razorbacks – $2.858,000
10. Jeff Tedford – California Golden Bears – $2,807,500
