NCAAB News: Todd Golden and Kelvin Sampson score big with bonuses off the court after March Madness

Todd Golden walks away with the coveted National Championship over Kelvin Sampson in what turned out to be a thrilling game. Houston held a 12-point lead at one point, but the Gators stormed back to win. Despite the loss, the Cougars’ head coach didn’t leave empty-handed—he’s heading home with a hefty bonus.

While the defeat was disappointing, Sampson still cashed in big. The Houston coach earned multiple bonuses during March Madness, including a $300,000 payout for reaching the Final Four after an electrifying win over Tennessee. In total, Sampson secured $500,000 in bonuses throughout the tournament.

Golden, on the other hand, didn’t earn as many bonuses as Sampson—likely because of his already high base salary—but he still received a $50,000 bonus for winning the national title. That pushed his total March Madness bonus earnings to $175,000. With a nearly $4 million annual salary, the Gators coach isn’t exactly hurting for extra incentives.

Throughout the NCAA Tournament, coaches receive bonuses based on how far their teams advance, with the biggest payouts usually reserved for deep tournament runs and late-stage appearances. These stages often include matchups between underdogs and powerhouse programs.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – APRIL 07: Head Coach Todd Golden of the Florida Gators speaks with the media after defeating the Houston Cougars in the National Championship of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Alamodome on April 07, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

How much do Todd Golden and Kelvin Sampson make?

Golden is set to earn $3.77 million by the end of the 2024–25 season, including his March Madness bonuses. According to USA Today, he ranks No. 34 among the highest-paid NCAA Division I coaches.

Interestingly, his salary is slightly below that of UConn women’s head coach Geno Auriemma, who makes $4.07 million and recently led his team to another national title.

Sampson earns significantly more than Golden, with a reported annual salary of approximately $4.7 million. That figure jumped from about $3.4 million two years ago when the Houston coach received a sizable pay raise.