Seven college football coaches earn over $10 million entering 2026 season

As the 2026 college football season approaches, several head coaches command significant salaries. Kirby Smart leads the way with an annual earning of $13.1 million at Georgia. Curt Cignetti from Indiana and Lane Kiffin of LSU follow closely, each earning $13 million. Other notable coaches include Ryan Day (Ohio State) at $12.6 million, and Kalen DeBoer (Alabama) and Lincoln Riley (USC), both at $12.5 million. The financial of college football is influenced by lucrative contracts and the prevalence of name, image, and likeness deals for players. Week 0 of the season kicks off soon, setting the stage for high-stakes competition among these programs.

• 2:49 PMYahoo Sports — 7 highest-paid college football coaches entering 2026 season