2025 SEC Football Coach Salaries
Being a head football coach in the Southeastern Conference is one of the most demanding and lucrative jobs in all of sports. With massive media rights deals, passionate fanbases, and the highest stakes in college football, SEC schools invest heavily to land and retain top coaching talent. This financial "arms race" has pushed salaries and buyouts to unprecedented levels.
Below is a comprehensive, ranked list of the total compensation for every SEC head coach for the 2025 season. 🏈
| # | Coach | Team | 2025 Salary | Current Buyout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kirby Smart | Georgia | $13.25M | $75M+ |
| 2 | Kalen DeBoer | Alabama | $11.75M | $68M+ |
| 3 | Steve Sarkisian | Texas | $10.9M | $50M+ |
| 4 | Brian Kelly | LSU | $9.98M | $65M+ |
| 5 | Josh Heupel | Tennessee | $9.0M | $45M+ |
| 6 | Lane Kiffin | Ole Miss | $9.0M | $40M+ |
| 7 | Mike Elko | Texas A&M | $7.5M | $35M+ |
| 8 | Mark Stoops | Kentucky | $7.25M | $30M+ |
| 9 | Eli Drinkwitz | Missouri | $7.0M | $28M+ |
| 10 | Brent Venables | Oklahoma | $6.9M | $25M+ |
| 11 | Hugh Freeze | Auburn | $6.5M | $22M+ |
| 12 | Billy Napier | Florida | $6.4M | $30M+ |
| 13 | Shane Beamer | South Carolina | $6.13M | $20M+ |
| 14 | Sam Pittman | Arkansas | $5.25M | $15M+ |
| 15 | Jeff Lebby | Mississippi State | $4.5M | $18M+ |
| 16 | Clark Lea | Vanderbilt | $3.75M* | N/A* |
*Vanderbilt, as a private university, is not required to disclose contract details. Salary is an industry estimate.
Why Are SEC Coaching Salaries So High?
The explosion in coaching compensation is fueled by several key factors. The SEC's landmark media rights deal with ESPN, worth billions of dollars, provides universities with unprecedented revenue. This, combined with the expansion of the College Football Playoff, has raised the financial stakes for winning at the highest level.
- Media Rights Revenue: The SEC's exclusive deal with ESPN ensures massive annual payouts to each member school, funding coaching contracts and facility upgrades.
- Playoff Expansion: With more teams able to qualify for the lucrative College Football Playoff, the return on investment for an elite coach has never been higher.
- Donor Influence: Passionate alumni and booster organizations play a significant role in funding large contracts and buyouts to secure the coaches they believe will bring championships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the highest-paid coach in the SEC?
As of the 2025 season, Kirby Smart of Georgia is the highest-paid coach in the SEC and all of college football, with an annual salary of $13.25 million.
What is a contract buyout?
A buyout is a clause in a coach's contract that specifies a financial penalty if either party terminates the agreement early. If a school fires a coach "without cause," they must pay him the buyout amount. Similarly, if a coach leaves for another job, he (or his new employer) must pay a buyout to his former school.