SEC
Where SEC head coaching salaries stand following Josh Heupel's extension
Tennessee’s Josh Heupel received a contract extension through January 2029 that increased his pay to $9 million per year from $5 million. Of course, this comes after Tennessee blitzed to an 11-win season and an Orange Bowl victory over Clemson.
For those counting at home, that makes Heupel the 5th highest-paid coach in the SEC, behind Nick Saban, Kirby Smart, Brian Kelly and Jimbo Fisher. Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin also makes $9 million per year alongside Huepel.
With that in mind, here’s an updated look at how much each SEC head coach makes per year.
- Nick Saban, Alabama: $11.7 million
- Kirby Smart, Georgia: $11.25 million
- Brian Kelly, LSU: $9.5 million
- Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M: $9.5 million
- Josh Heupel, Tennessee: $9 million
- Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss: $9 million
- Mark Stoops, Kentucky: $8.6 million
- Billy Napier, Florida: $7.2 million
- Shane Beamer, South Carolina: $6.5 million
- Hugh Freeze, Auburn: $6.5 million
- Eli Drinkwitz, Mizzou: $6 million
- Sam Pittman, Arkansas: $5.25 million
- Zach Arnett, Mississippi State: $3 million
Vanderbilt does not publicly release Clark Lea’s salary as the school is a private institution.
To me the three(3) most overpaid head coachces in the SEC are the following:
#1-Drinkwitz at Mizzou.$6 Million per year for what ? When his raise and extension were given his record was 15-17.
#2-Shane Beamer at South Carolina. His teams have delivered more wins that were expected but going from $3 Million per year to $6.5 Million ?
Yes I know they beat the Vols & Clemson.
#3-Billy Napier at Florida. Yes Billy inherited some major problems but down the stretch in 2022 they very badly underperformed. See Vandy loss.
The major concern to the Universities to any Head Football Coach’s Contract is not only the annual salary but the Contract-Length & the Buyout…Oh yes the Buyout=Major $$$$$.
It seems that Head Coaches today are being massively rewarded for delivering some success & some are only delivering a very small modicum of success.
Don’t be an azzhat … Beamer was being underpaid. His compensation was raised to median level SEC standards. He shows great promise. Can’t pay him 3 mil and make it easy for someone to steal him away.
Stoops is my name for most overpaid coach. 8.6M for for yearly mediocracy? I’d take that myself.