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Highest-paid college football coaches: Where Curt Cignetti, Mario Cristobal, Dan Lanning, Pete Golding rank in 2026
Some of the most high-profile firings of the 2025 season were also some of the most well-compensated coaches in the sport. James Franklin, Jonathan Smith and Billy Napier were expensive firings, all ranking among the largest coaching buyouts of all-time.
According to USA TODAY Sports' updated salaries database, Alabama's Kalen DeBoer ranks as the No. 7 highest-paid head coach in college football. Per the database, DeBoer's 2025 salary is at $10,250,000 in total pay, with a maximum bonus of $1,175,000.