College football coaches are now outearning their basketball counterparts, particularly in the Power Five conferences, according to a recent report by USA TODAY Sports. One notable example is Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, who is set to receive an impressive $1.5 million in bonuses if the team clinches the Big Ten Conference championship. Harbaugh’s case isn’t unusual, though, as coaches like Jeff Brohm from Louisville and Oregon’s Dan Lanning are also raking in substantial bonuses and contract extensions.
The list of bonuses seems endless. Alabama’s Nick Saban could earn up to $310,000, while Mike Norvell from Florida could pocket a hefty $300,000.
This financial trend has also reinforced a significant pay gap between football and basketball coaches in collegiate sports, with football coaches reaping the benefits of lucrative bonuses that surpass those in basketball. It’s clear that in the competitive world of collegiate sports, football is the name of the game when it comes to big bucks for coaches.
Alex Martin is your guide to the global phenomenon of football. With a focus on international leagues and tournaments, he provides match commentary, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of football.