USA TODAY names 5 most overpaid coaches in college football, including 2 from SEC
By Jyesha Nance
Published:
Can college coaches be overpaid despite a lack of success? Absolutely.
According to USA TODAY, five college football coaches are currently considered overpaid: Lincoln Riley of USC, earning $11.5 million; Bill Belichick of UNC, at $10.1 million; Luke Fickell of Wisconsin, with $7.7 million; Billy Napier of Florida, making $7.4 million; and Hugh Freeze of Auburn, who earns $6.7 million.
Riley has been the Trojans’ head coach since November 2021, officially starting with the 2022 season. Over four seasons, he has a 26-14 record, including one New Year’s Six Bowl appearance but no playoff berths.
While the program initially seemed promising–highlighted by quarterback Caleb Williams winning the Heisman Trophy– Riley’s offense broke six USC records, such as most games scoring 30+ points (12), most yards passing in a single season (4,696), and most touchdown passes in a single season (43). The Trojans also reached the Pac-12 Championship Game following an 11-1 regular season, a major improvement from the team’s 4-8 record, and Williams became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, the team’s performance declined in subsequent seasons, with an 8-5 overall record (5-4 in the Pac-12) in 2023 and a 7-6 overall (4-5 in the Big Ten) in 2024. The down has led some to believe Riley is overpaid.
Belichick, renowned for his 24 seasons and six Super Bowl wins with the New England Patriots, was hired by UNC to revitalize its football program. However, the Tar Heels have had a rough start, with a 2-3 record and 0-1 in conference play. Their losses have been particularly stark, with opponents consistently scoring over 30 points while limiting UNC to 14 or fewer. Given the team’s struggles under Belichick, questions about whether he is overpaid have arisen.
Fickell began at Wisconsin in 2023, achieving a 7-6 record in his first season, capped by a ReliaQuest Bowl appearance, and secured a contract extension through 2031. Through his first two seasons, his record stands at 12-13. After the 2023 season, the Badgers regressed, finishing 5-7 in 2024 without a bowl game. In 2025, they are 2-3 overall and 0-2 in conference play, placing them last in the B1G.
Napier’s tenure as Florida’s head coach began in December 2021, following a successful period at Louisiana, where he achieved a 40-12 record. However, his time with the Gators has not yet yielded similar results.
Over Napier’s first three seasons (2022–2024), Florida posted a 19-19 overall record, including an 8-5 showing in 2024. As of the 2025 season, their record stands at 2-3 overall and 1-1 in SEC play. Many feel Florida’s on-field performance under Napier does not justify the financial commitment of his salary.
Freeze’s record at Auburn is 14-16 overall across three seasons (2023, 2024, and 2025). He led the team to a 6-7 record in 2023, a 5-7 record in 2024, and a 3-2 record as of Week 7 in the 2025 season. To date, he has guided the Tigers to one bowl game appearance, but no Playoff or SEC Championship Game appearances. Although their ranking in Week 3 of the Top 25 AP Poll marked the Tigers’ first appearance since 2021, they were unable to sustain that ranking.
