College football’s Top 10 just changed a bit. Not the poll, but the list of the highest paid coaches. It’s no surprise that Georgia’s Kirby Smart leads the list of college football’s 10 highest paid coaches.
USC’s Lincoln Riley isn’t far behind. According to ugawire.usatoday.com, Riley’s new contract with the Trojans is for an estimated $10-plus million for this season moving him into the number 2 spot.
Nick Saban dropped from number one. There are also plenty of new faces in the Top 10 that hope to make an immediate impact beginning this season.
Here is the list of the Top 10 highest paid college football coaches for the 2022 Season.
10. Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – APRIL 24: Head coach Jimbo Fisher of the Texas A&M Aggies looks on during the first half of the spring game at Kyle Field on April 24, 2021 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
2022 salary: $7.5 million
9. Mario Cristobal, Miami
MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 07: New Head Coach Mario Cristobal of the Miami Hurricanes speaks with the media during a press conference introducing him at the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility at University of Miami on December 07, 2021 in Miami, Florida. Cristobal becomes the 26th head football coach in the program’s history. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
2022 salary: $8 million (new contract)
8. Dabo Swinney, Clemson
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 13: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers looks on against the LSU Tigers in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
2022 salary: $8,370,775
7. David Shaw, Stanford
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 17: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal walks the sideline against the UCLA Bruins at Stanford Stadium on October 17, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
2022 salary: $8.925 million
6. Ryan Day, Ohio State
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on during warm-ups prior to the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
2022 salary: $9.5 million
5. Mel Tucker, Michigan State
PISCATAWAY, NJ – OCTOBER 09 : Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans reacts on the sidelines during the second half of a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 31-13. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
2022 salary: $9.5 million
4. Brian Kelly, LSU
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 01: Brian Kelly (C) is introduced as the head football coach of the LSU Tigers by LSU President William F. Tate IV (L) and athletics director Scott Woodward during a news conference at Tiger Stadium on December 01, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
2022 salary: $9.5 million (new contract)
3. Nick Saban, Alabama
GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 11: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates by hoisting the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy after defeating the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Crimson Tide defeated the Tigers with a score of 45 to 40. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
2022 salary: $9,753,221 million
2. Lincoln Riley, USC
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 12: USC Trojans head football coach Lincoln Riley attends the game between the USC Trojans and the Long Beach State 49ers at Galen Center on December 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
2022 salary: Estimated $10-plus million (new contract)
1. Kirby Smart, Georgia
ATHENS, GA – JANUARY 15: Head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs speaks during the celebration honoring the Georgia Bulldogs national championship victory on January 15, 2022 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
2022 salary: $11.25 million (new contract)
