College basketball coaches don't deal with nearly the scrutiny college football coaches face. Basketball teams can reload and turn around in a season. Football takes time on the other hand. Sometimes a lot of time. I personally can't relate as a Nebraska fan.
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A deep run in the NCAA Tournament can elevate a coaching resume for consideration at a top program. That's where the big bucks are made. Blue bloods like the Duke Blue Devils, Kansas Jayhawks, Michigan State Spartans and Kentucky Wildcats pay top dollar for some of the best minds in basketball. They also serve as the CEO of their school's brand.
Front Office Sports has published a full list of the 25 highest-paid college basketball coaches, and the men at the top shouldn't surprise anyone. That being said, the retirements of Duke's Mike Krzyzewski and Villanova's Jay Wright have shuffled up the list a bit this past season.
Among the conferences the SEC has five, the Big 12 has five, the Big Ten has seven, the ACC has three, the Pac-12 has four and the Big East has 0ne.
Highest-Paid College Basketball Coaches 2022-23
25. Kenny Payne, Louisville
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Total Pay: $3,494,026 million
Record: 4-28
24. Chris Holtmann, Ohio State
Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Total Pay: $3,500,000 million
Record: 123-75
23. Andy Enfield, USC
Norm Hall via Getty Images
Total pay: $3,511,285 million
Record: 205-129
22. Jamie Dixon, TCU
Peter G. Aiken via Getty Images
Total Pay: $3,512,107 million
Record: 139-97
21. Matt Painter, Purdue
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Total Pay: $3,580,000 million
Record: 413-198
20. Jeff Capel, Pittsburgh
Rich Barnes via Getty Images
Total Pay: $3,614,588 million
Record: 75-81
19. Juwan Howard, Michigan
John Fisher via Getty Images
Total Pay: $3,616,000 million
Record: 79-48
18. Greg Gard, Wisconsin
Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images
Total Pay: $3,637,500 million
Record: 164-92
17. Scott Drew, Baylor
Justin Casterline via Getty Images
Total Pay: $3,706,581 million
Record: 422-233
16. Ed Cooley, Providence
M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Total Pay: $3,751,112 million (hired by Georgetown, reportedly being paid about $6 million a year)
Record: 221-141
15. Kevin Willard, Maryland
Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Total Pay: $3,900,000 million
Record: 22-13
14. Tommy Lloyd, Arizona
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Total Pay: $4 million
Record: 61-11
13. Dana Altman, Oregon
Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images
Total Pay: $4,009,500 million
Record: 321-140
12. Buzz Williams, Texas A&M
David Becker via Getty Images
Total Pay: $4,100,000 million
Record: 76-47
11. Eric Musselman, Arkansas
Wesley Hitt via Getty Images
Total Pay: $4,100,000 million
Record: 95-42
10. Mick Cronin, UCLA
Patrick McDermott via Getty Images
Total Pay: $4,100,000 million
Record: 99-36
9. Bob Huggins, West Virginia
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Total Pay: $4,150,000 million
Record: 345-203
8. Brad Underwood, Illinois
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Total Pay: $4,600,550 million
Record: 114-79
7. Tony Bennett, Virginia
Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images
Total Pay: $4,830,345 million
Record: 341-125
6. Chris Beard, Texas
Chris Covatta via Getty Images
Total Pay: $5,005,000 million (recently hired by Ole Miss)
Record: 22-12
5. Bruce Pearl, Auburn
Todd Kirkland via Getty Images
Total Pay: $5,449,152 million
Record: 187-111
4. Rick Barnes, Tennessee
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Total Pay: $5,450,000 million
Record: 175-92
3. Tom Izzo, Michigan State
Rey Del Rio via Getty Images
Total Pay: $5,738,727 million
Record: 687-280
2. Bill Self, Kansas
Lance King via Getty Images
Total Pay: $5,963,800 million
Record: 580-132
1. John Calipari, Kentucky
Andy Lyons via Getty Images
Total Pay: $8,533,483 million
Record: 387-113
