Who is the highest paid coach in college basketball in 2024?

College basketball is a thriving industry that attracts thousands of fans who flock to stadiums to watch their favorite teams play. Millions more tune in via television to witness the excitement of the sport. Bill Self has been the head coach of the Kansas basketball team since 2003, and his leadership skills have propelled the Jayhawks to many victories, including the NCAA Division I Tournament title in 2022.

In the 2023-24 season, Bill Self’s salary was the highest in the league, outpacing John Calipari of Kentucky, who previously held the title of the highest-paid coach. College basketball is a fiercely competitive and prestigious arena that attracts top coaching talent through lucrative compensation packages.

As we head into the 2024 March Madness season, it’s worth exploring the top highest-paid coaches in college basketball based on their annual salaries.

Bill Self - University of Kansas - $9.6 Million

However, in November, the coaching hierarchy was upended when Bill Self was given a new contract. This contract made him the highest-paid college basketball coach, with an annual salary of $9.6 million. This contract solidified Self’s position as one of the industry’s most well-compensated and successful coaches.

Kansas amended Self’s lifetime contract with the school to be a five-year rolling contract, with the first iteration paying him a reported $53 million over five years. When he won his second national title in 2022, the 60-year-old was making $10.2 million, but his 2023 pay dropped due to the structure of the contract.

John Calipari - University of Kentucky - $8,533,483

John Calipari is widely regarded as one of the country’s most successful and highly-paid college basketball coaches. He is the head coach of the University of Kentucky basketball team and earns an annual salary of $8,533,483, according to Forbes’ 2021 list of highest-paid college basketball coaches.

Calipari’s success with the Kentucky Wildcats is a major reason for his impressive earnings and status in the sport. Since taking over as head coach in 2009, he has led the team to numerous victories, including a national championship in 2012. He has also helped develop some of the most talented players in college basketball, including Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Devin Booker, who have all gone on to successful careers in the NBA.

Beyond his on-court success, Calipari is also known for his philanthropic efforts and commitment to his players’ education and personal development. He has established a foundation that provides scholarships and other resources to underprivileged children in Kentucky and has also been a vocal advocate for college athletes’ rights.

Tom Izzo - Michigan State University - $5,738,727

Tom Izzo is the head coach of the basketball program at Michigan State University. He earns an annual salary of $5,738,727, putting him in third among the highest-paid college basketball coaches. Izzo’s coaching abilities and the performance of the Michigan State Spartans have led him to be included among the top earners in college basketball coaching.

Rick Barnes - University of Tennessee - $5,450,000

Rick Barnes is an accomplished and highly successful head coach at the University of Tennessee. He is widely regarded as one of the best college basketball coaches in the United States. Barnes’ annual salary is $5,450,000, placing him in fourth among the highest-paid college basketball coaches.

Barnes has achieved much success during his coaching career, which spans over three decades. He has won several awards and honors, including the Naismith Coach of the Year award in 1998 and the SEC Coach of the Year award in 2019.

Bruce Pearl - Auburn University - $5,449,152

Bruce Pearl is the head coach of Auburn University’s basketball program. His annual salary of $5,449,152 places him fifth among the highest-paid college basketball coaches. Pearl is widely recognized for his coaching abilities, and the success of the Auburn Tigers under his leadership has contributed to his inclusion among the top earners in college basketball coaching.