College basketball is a multimillion-dollar industry that attracts passionate fans and creates fierce competition, not only among players and teams but also among head coaches.
In 2024, the highest-paid coaches in the sport not only enjoy astronomical salaries but are also key figures in building and achieving the success of their programs. Leading the list is Bill Self, head coach of Kansas.
Each of them is not only a strategist on the court but also plays a pivotal role in recruiting talent, leading their teams and, in many cases, winning championships. Here’s the list as of December, as USA Today reported…
25 highest-paid college basketball head coaches
| Rank | Head Coach | School | Pay |
| 1 | Bill Self | Kansas | $9.6 million |
| 2 | John Calipari | Kentucky | $8.5 million |
| 3 | Tom Izzo | Michigan State | $6.1 million |
| 4 | Bruce Pearl | Auburn | $5.7 million |
| 5 | Rick Barnes | Tennessee | $5.7 million |
| 6 | Scott Drew | Baylor | $5.1 million |
| 7 | Dan Hurley | UConn | $5 million |
| 8 | Brad Underwood | Illinois | $4.7 million |
| 9 | Kelvin Sampson | Houston | $4.6 million |
| 10 | Nate Oats | Alabama | $4.5 million |
| 11 | Buzz Williams | Texas A&M | $4.4 million |
| 12 | Eric Musselman | Arkansas | $4.2 million |
| 13 | Mike Woodson | Indiana | $4.2 million |
| 14 | Mick Cronin | UCLA | $4.1 million |
| 15 | Tommy Lloyd | Arizona | $4.1 million |
| 16 | Tony Bennett | Virginia | $4 million |
| 17 | Dennis Gates | Missouri | $4 million |
| 18 | Dana Altman | Oregon | $4 million |
| 19 | Kevin Willard | Maryland | $4 million |
| 20 | Jamie Dixon | TCU | $3.8 million |
| 21 | Andy Enfield | USC | $3.8 million |
| 22 | Greg Gard | Wisconsin | $3.7 million |
| 23 | Juwan Howard | Michigan | $3.7 million |
| 24 | Matt Painter | Purdue | $3.6 million |
| 25 | Jeff Capel | Pittsburgh | $3.5 million |
25. Jeff Capel
Jeff Capel, currently the head coach at Pittsburgh, has had a diverse coaching career that spans across several high-profile college basketball programs. Before landing there, he was known for his tenure at Duke as an assistant coach under Mike Krzyzewski, where he was integral to recruiting and player development.
He took over Pittsburgh in 2018 and has worked on revitalizing the program. His $3.5 million salary reflects not only his prior success but also his growing influence at Pittsburgh, where he has continued to build a competitive team within the ACC.
24. Matt Painter
Matt Painter has established himself as a consistent force in college basketball, particularly with Purdue, where he’s been head coach since 2005. Under his leadership, the Boilermakers have seen tremendous success, including multiple NCAA tournament appearances and Big Ten championships.
He has been particularly known for his ability to develop players and his strategic approach to the game. One of his notable achievements includes leading Purdue to a top spot in the Big Ten and NCAA rankings multiple times.
His coaching philosophy, focused on defense and balanced offensive play, has earned him recognition within the college basketball community and a salary of $3.6 million.
23. Juwan Howard
Juwan Howard, a former NBA All-Star and champion, has quickly made a name for himself as the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines. After a stellar career in the NBA, which included two NBA championships with the Miami Heat, he transitioned into coaching.
He was hired by Michigan in 2019 and has already earned accolades, including the AP National Coach of the Year award in 2021. He has steered the Wolverines to a No. 1 seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, a historic achievement for a coach who was once a part of the famed “Fab Five” at Michigan.
His coaching salary reflects his expertise, with the $3.7 million he earns reflecting both his past as a player and his growing success in the coaching ranks.
22. Greg Gard
Greg Gard, at Wisconsin, has kept the program competitive in the always-challenging Big Ten conference. With a salary of $3.7 million, he has earned a reputation as a disciplined coach who builds resilient teams focused on defense and controlling the pace of the game.
21. Andy Enfield
Andy Enfield, head coach of USC, has elevated the Trojans to notable levels of competitiveness in the Pac-12. With a salary of $3.8 million, he has solidified USC as an elite program, excelling in developing versatile players.
20. Jamie Dixon
Jamie Dixon, head coach of TCU, has transformed the Horned Frogs program into a reliable contender in the Big 12. With a salary of $3.8 million, he has implemented a strong defensive strategy and a focus on teamwork that has yielded success for TCU.
19. Kevin Willard
Kevin Willard, in charge of Maryland, has led the Terps program to significant success in the Big Ten. With a salary of $4 million, his disciplined approach and ability to keep Maryland as a competitive force in the conference place him among the highest-paid coaches.
18. Dana Altman
Dana Altman has been one of the most successful coaches in Oregon’s recent history, known for his ability to adapt to changes in college basketball and build versatile teams. With a salary of $4 million, he has guided the Ducks to multiple Final Four appearances and remains a formidable contender in the Pac-12 conference.
17. Dennis Gates
Dennis Gates, head coach of Missouri, has shown steady progress in his career, focusing on building a winning program in the SEC. With a salary of $4 million, he has redirected Mizzou basketball, achieving a notable competitive level.
16. Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett, leading Virginia, has redefined college basketball with his focus on defense from start to finish. With a salary of $4 million, he led the Cavaliers to a national championship in 2019, and his meticulous playing style has secured him a place at the top of the list of highest-paid coaches.
15. Tommy Lloyd
Tommy Lloyd, in his first term as head coach of Arizona, has shown great ability in taking the Wildcats to the elite of college basketball. With a salary of $4.1 million, his success in the Pac-12 conference and focus on developing young players have been key to his program’s success.
14. Mick Cronin
Mick Cronin has taken UCLA to a higher level of competition, leading the Bruins to the Final Four and making it clear that the program aims to return to its elite status. With a salary of $4.1 million, he has earned respect for his defensive approach and ability to build a cohesive team.
13. Mike Woodson
Mike Woodson, head coach of Indiana, has made an immediate impact since returning to the NCAA. With a salary of $4.2 million, he has worked to restore the Hoosiers program’s prestige, using his vast NBA experience to develop an effective strategy that has paid off.
12. Eric Musselman
Eric Musselman, in charge of Arkansas, has revived the Razorbacks program, turning it into a regular NCAA contender. With a salary of $4.2 million, he has led Arkansas to several NCAA Tournament appearances, standing out for his ability to attract talent and build dynamic teams.
11. Buzz Williams
Buzz Williams has achieved an impressive career in college basketball, leading Texas A&M to multiple NCAA tournaments. With a salary of $4.4 million, he is known for his ability to build resilient and competitive teams, with a focus on defense and teamwork. His success in the SEC conference and his leadership style have secured him a place among the highest-paid coaches.
10. Nate Oats
Nate Oats has taken Alabama to a level of success not seen in years, with a salary of $4.5 million. He has stood out for his innovative and modern approach to college basketball, focusing on fast offense and aggressive defense. His ability to build a competitive team in the powerful SEC has earned him a spot among the highest-paid coaches.
9. Kelvin Sampson
Kelvin Sampson has transformed Houston into one of the most formidable forces in college basketball, with a salary of $4.6 million. Since joining the program, he has led the Cougars to multiple Final Fours and established a culture of elite defense. His success has not only been on the court but also in creating a sustainable and competitive program that attracts the best talent in the country.
8. Brad Underwood
Brad Underwood has taken Illinois to the elite of college basketball, with a salary of $4.7 million. Under his leadership, the Fighting Illini have been consistent contenders in the NCAA Tournament, and his aggressive, offense-focused playing style has made the program relevant in the national conversation. He has proven to be an elite coach, capable of competing at the highest level in the tough Big Ten competition.
7. Dan Hurley
Dan Hurley has revived the UConn program, making it a contender for the NCAA title once again. With a salary of $5 million, he has been instrumental in building a strong team in Connecticut, securing a national championship in 2023.
His aggressive approach and ability to motivate players have been key to the program’s success, and his salary reflects the positive impact he has had on college basketball.
6. Scott Drew
Scott Drew’s name is closely tied to the recent success of Baylor, which culminated in winning the NCAA championship in 2021. With a salary of $5.1 million, he has transformed the Bears into a powerhouse in college basketball, taking the program from a modest level to the pinnacle of success. His focus on teamwork and defense, as well as his ability to develop talent, has secured his place among the highest-paid coaches.
5. Rick Barnes
Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes is also in fourth place with a salary of $5.7 million. He has been a key figure in the resurgence of the Volunteers program, leading them to several NCAA Tournament appearances and earning recognition for his meticulous approach to defense.
His success at Tennessee has solidified his place among the highest-paid coaches, and his ability to get the best out of his players has made him one of the most respected figures in college basketball.
4. Bruce Pearl
Bruce Pearl has transformed the Auburn basketball program, leading them to their first NCAA final in 2019. With a salary of $5.7 million, his dynamic playing style and focus on offense have made the Tigers a feared team in the SEC.
He is not only known for his success on the court but also for his ability to build a winning culture and attract high-level players, which has allowed him to continue competing at the highest level.
3. Tom Izzo
Tom Izzo, head coach of Michigan State, has been synonymous with consistency and success in college basketball. With a salary of $6.1 million, he has led the Spartans to countless NCAA tournaments and won a national championship in 2000.
His coaching philosophy, focused on defense and teamwork, has kept Michigan State as an annual contender in the title race, and his reputation as one of the best coaches in history is supported by his salary and impact on the game.
2. John Calipari
Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari is in second place with a salary of $8.5 million. Known for his focus on recruiting top-tier players and his ability to lead his teams to the highest levels of college basketball, he has made Kentucky one of the most dominant programs in the NCAA. His emphasis on developing future NBA players, combined with his ability to build winning programs, has secured him a spot at the top of this list.
1. Bill Self
Bill Self, head coach of the University of Kansas, tops the list with an impressive salary of $9.6 million. His legacy in college basketball is undeniable, having led the Jayhawks to multiple NCAA titles, including the 2022 championship.
This success has solidified his status as one of the most respected and highest-paid coaches in the history of the sport. Kansas’ program, historically one of the most successful, benefits from Self’s ability to recruit elite talent and develop professional-level players.