LSU to make Jay Johnson highest-paid college baseball coach, per report
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Jay Johnson just finished off his fourth year with LSU baseball in June. Unlike the players that joined him in 2022, though, he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
On Thursday, NOLA.com’s Wilson Alexander reported the Tigers were making Johnson the highest-paid coach in college baseball. Johnson’s new deal, according to Alexander, will net him $3.05 million in 2025-26. His previous contract paid him $1.67 million last season.
Johnson, 48, has been a Division I head coach since 2014. He began his career with Nevada, spending two years in Reno before jumping to Arizona. Johnson led the Wildcats to the College World Series twice (2016 & 2021) in his six seasons there before joining the Tigers in 2022.
Over four seasons in Baton Rouge, Johnson has posted a 190-77 record (71.2% winning percentage). After a 40-22 record his first year, he convinced high-profile transfers Paul Skenes (Air Force) and Tommy White (NC State) to join eventual Golden Spikes Award winner Dylan Crews for the 2023 campaign. What followed was a dominant 54-17 season that saw the Tigers dismantle Florida 18-4 to win Johnson’s first CWS championship.
Johnson led LSU back to Omaha in 2025. And once again, when the dust settled, the Tigers were champions. They went 10-1 in NCAA Tournament play — and a perfect 7-0 in the Super Regionals and CWS rounds — to bring the title home.
Johnson’s new contract will keep him in town through 2032. His salary will rise $100K per season until then. LSU also rewarded recruiting coordinator Josh Jordan and director of baseball operations Josh Simpson for their efforts. Jordan will make $485K through 2028, while Simpson will pull in $255K through 2027.
