Table of Contents
Introduction
College football is more than a game; it’s a cultural institution that binds communities, universities, and fans across the United States. Within the world of college football, coaches stand as legendary figures, sometimes even eclipsing their NFL counterparts in fame and respect.
From Bear Bryant’s iconic houndstooth hat to Nick Saban’s focused intensity, the images of college football’s great coaches are forever etched in the annals of sports history. These coaches are more than just tacticians; they are educators, mentors, community leaders, and sometimes, even father figures to their players.
The position of a college football head coach is one of the most coveted in the sport. Yet, it’s not just about glory and fame. It’s about the passion for the game, the development of young athletes, and the responsibility of leading a program to success. It’s no wonder that these coaches often command salaries that are on par with those of professional coaches. Let’s delve into the world of the highest-paid college football coaches.
Nick Saban: The GOAT
Who Is Nick Saban?
Nick Saban stands tall as a colossus in the realm of college football. Currently serving as the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Saban’s name is synonymous with success. Born in West Virginia, Saban’s coaching journey began as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Kent State.
Saban’s climb through the coaching ranks saw him serve in various capacities at schools like Michigan State, the Cleveland Browns (NFL), and LSU. However, it was his arrival at Alabama in 2007 that cemented his place as the greatest college football coach of all time.
The Alabama Dynasty
Under Saban’s stewardship, Alabama has transformed into the modern dynasty of college football. With multiple National Championships, numerous SEC titles, and a consistent presence in the College Football Playoff, Saban’s Crimson Tide is the gold standard of success.
Saban’s coaching philosophy revolves around the “Process.” It’s about focusing on the daily tasks and commitment to excellence rather than merely concentrating on winning. This mentality has bred a culture of success at Alabama, attracting top recruits and producing NFL stars.
Impact on College Football
Saban’s impact goes beyond Alabama. His coaching tree includes former assistants who have become successful head coaches themselves. His influence on defensive schemes, recruitment strategies, and player development has rippled across the college football landscape.
How Much Does Nick Saban Make?
Saban’s unparalleled success and influence make him the highest-paid college football coach. His salary package at Alabama totals an eye-watering $11.8 million per year. This figure includes base salary, bonuses, and other compensations. It’s a testament to Saban’s worth to the University of Alabama, both in terms of athletic success and financial revenue.
The Top 10 Highest-Paid College Football Coaches
1. Nick Saban, Alabama
Saban’s accomplishments and salary have already been detailed, but it’s worth emphasizing that his contract reflects his unparalleled success and the revenue he brings to Alabama.
2. Dabo Swinney, Clemson
Dabo Swinney’s charisma and coaching acumen have turned Clemson into a national powerhouse. With two national titles and multiple ACC championships, Swinney’s $9.3 million salary is well-deserved.
3. Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
A former NFL coach, Harbaugh returned to his alma mater, Michigan, and has revitalized the program. With a return to winning ways, Harbaugh’s $8 million salary underscores his value to the Wolverines.
4. Kirby Smart, Georgia
A former assistant under Nick Saban, Kirby Smart has brought Georgia to the cusp of greatness. His defensive prowess and recruitment skills make his $7.6 million salary a fair reflection of his worth.
5. Lincoln Riley, USC
A young and innovative offensive mind, Lincoln Riley’s move to USC has brought excitement back to the Trojans. His $7.6 million salary is indicative of USC’s faith in his ability to restore the program to glory.
6. Ryan Day, Ohio State
Taking over from Urban Meyer, Ryan Day has maintained Ohio State’s dominance in the Big Ten. His offensive genius and leadership have earned him a $7.6 million salary.
7. Dan Mullen, Florida
Dan Mullen’s offensive innovation and ability to develop quarterbacks have kept Florida competitive in the SEC. His $7.6 million salary reflects his importance to the Gators.
8. Ed Orgeron, LSU
Coach “O” is a beloved figure at LSU. His passion and connection with players led LSU to a magical national title run in 2019. His $7 million salary is a nod to his success.
9. James Franklin, Penn State
James Franklin’s energetic approach and consistent winning have made Penn State a force in the Big Ten. His $7 million salary is commensurate with his accomplishments.
10. Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M
Jimbo Fisher’s reputation as a top offensive coach and his efforts to elevate Texas A&M in the SEC earn him a $7 million salary.
Conclusion
College football coaches are not merely tacticians on the sideline; they are the face of multimillion-dollar programs, responsible for recruitment, player development, game planning, and often, the success or failure of a team.
The salaries of these coaches reflect their multifaceted roles and the revenue they generate for their universities. In a world where success is measured in wins and losses, these coaches have proven their worth, with Nick Saban standing tall as the epitome of excellence and the highest-paid college football coach.
CFB FAQs
How are college football bowl games determined?
Only bowl-eligible teams are selected for College Football Bowls. At the NCAA Division I FBS level, the standard by which teams become available for selection in bowl games varies. For example, in 2018-19 season, the team had to have at least as many wins as overall losses. Wins against non-Division I teams do not count toward the number of wins.
How do you play college football pick'em pools?
Simply pick winners from the games each week selected by the Pool Commissioner, either straight up or against the spread. Whichever member has the most points at the end of the season wins
What is a football pool?
"Football Pool" is a broad term for a group of people competitively guessing the outcome of one or more football games. There are many types of formats, each assigning winners differently. They can be played informally between friends or through a more formalized system. They are often considered a great alternative to fantasy football given the ease of playing, although there are fantasy football pools as well.
How to run a football pool?
How you decide to run a football pool varies greatly depending on the game type. In each case, however, you'll want to determine the rules and settings before you begin inviting members to join you. You'll want to clearly establish how score will be kept, how tiebreakers work, and how winners are decided before anything else.
How to play squares football pools?
Football squares are played by creating a grid, in which Team 1 takes the column and Team 2 the rows. In some cases, participants may claim as many squares as they like. In others, commissioners limit them to one. At the quarter times and end of the game, the winner is decided at the point the scores final digit intersect.
How do you setup a college football bowl pool?
To set up a college football bowl pool, you'll need to first choose if you will include all the games or specific ones. Then, you'll need to set the ground rules. As commissioner, you'll implement rules to ensure everything runs smoothly during the bowl games. Many use pool sites like RunYourPool to make the process easier.
What is a college football squares pool?
In a college football squares pool, a commissioner starts with a 10x10 grid of 100 squares (though commissioners decide to use smaller 5x5 pools). Members pick one or more squares in that grid. Winners are determined based on the score of each team after each quarter and at the end of the game.
How many squares in a football pool?
In a traditional football squares pool, a grid is sectioned off into 100 squares with 10 columns and 10 rows. This accounts for a direct relationship between each possible digit from 0 to 9 on both the X and Y axis. For smaller square grids like 5x5, multiple numbers can be assigned to each column and row.
How to read a football squares pool sheet?
In Squares formats, football pool sheets include a grid, where one team is the column and one is the row. Winners are determined at the end of each quarter when the last number in the team’s score (on each side) is matched to the numbers on the grid, and the intersecting square wins.
How do you setup a college football bowl pool?
To set up a college football bowl pool, you'll need to first choose if you will include all the games or specific ones. Then, you'll need to set the ground rules. As commissioner, you'll implement rules to ensure everything runs smoothly during the bowl games. Many use pool sites like RunYourPool to make the process easier.
How do you win college football confidence bowl pool?
The winner of a college bowl confidence pool is the member with the most points after all games have ended. Members rank each game based on how confident they are in their pick (44 points = most confident, 1 point = least confident). For each game picked correctly, members receive the number of points they assigned.
What is a college football bowl confidence pool?
Players try to pick the winner of every bowl game, assigning a point value to each game. Picks are made "straight up," not using a point spread system. Members rank each game based on how confident they are (44 points = most confident, 1 point = least confident). A winner is determined by totalling the point values assigned to correctly picked games.
How do you setup a college football bowl pool?
To set up a college football bowl pool, you'll need to first choose if you will include all the games or specific ones. Then, you'll need to set the ground rules. As commissioner, you'll implement rules to ensure everything runs smoothly during the bowl games. Many use pool sites like RunYourPool to make the process easier.
How do you win college football bowl pick'em pool?
As you might expect, the player who selects the most bowl winners will win their pick'em pool. You can win your college football bowl pick'em pool by choosing winners wisely, based on past performance, player starting status and other "intangibles."
What is a college football bowl pick'em pool?
In a College Bowl Pick'em pool members attempt to pick the winner of every College Bowl game (or a subset of games determined by the Pool Commissioner). Picks are made using the point spread system or "straight up", as assigned by the Pool Commissioner.
