Report: Steve Sarkisian is the Big 12's fourth highest-paid head coach, No. 30 in college football
According to USA TODAY’s updated coaching salary database, Texas’ Steve Sarkisian is the fourth highest-paid head coach in the Big 12 Conference and 30th highest-paid coach in college football.
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Sarkisian, currently in year three of a deal that has him on the sidelines in burnt orange through the 2026 season, is scheduled to make $5.6 million in 2023 with the potential to earn $825,000 in bonuses. Sarkisian has already earned $25,000 in bonuses, according to USA TODAY.
The Longhorns head coach is behind Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy, Oklahoma’s Brent Venables, and Kansas’ Lance Leipold among Big 12 coaches. Gundy makes $7.625 million, Venables is set to receive $7.1 million, and Leipold is due $5.75 million this season. Full figures for TCU head coach Sonny Dykes and Baylor head coach Dave Aranda were not included due to both institutions’ private status. But after the Bears’ success in 2021 and the Horned Frogs’ Playoff run in 2022 which lead to amended contracts, both Aranda and Dykes could be at or above Sarkisian’s current salary.
Among public SEC schools, Sarkisian would be ahead of only Mississippi State’s Zach Arnett in salary. Full figures for Clark Lea were not available due to Vanderbilt’s private status.
Sarkisian signed a six-year, $34.2 million contract with Texas in 2021. His contract stipulated annual $200,000 increases, so his salary has gone up from its starting figure of $5.2 million to its current $5.6 million. USA TODAY lists his buyout at $12,926,667.
According to On3’s 2023 College Football Coaching Salaries database, Sarkisian is represented by Jimmy Sexton and Ed Marynowitz of CAA.
The 10 highest paid head coaches in college football are
- Nick Saban, Alabama – $11,407,000
- Dabo Swinney, Clemson – $10,884,775
- Kirby Smart, Georgia – $10,705,600
- Ryan Day, Ohio State – $10,271,250
- Mel Tucker, Michigan State – $10,015,350
- Brian Kelly, LSU – $9,975,000
- Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M – $9,150,000
- Mark Stoops, Kentucky – $9,013,600
- Josh Heupel, Tennessee – $9,000,000
- Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss – $9,000,000
In the state of Texas among public institutions, Fisher leads with his salary. He’s followed by Sarkisian, then Houston’s Dana Holgorsen checks in with a $4.3 million salary in 2023. Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire comes next with a $4.1 million salary.
