Kansas coach Bill Self calls out a play at the 2022 Big 12 basketball tournament.
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The 25 Highest-Paid College Basketball Coaches Are Rolling in Cash

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.

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

USC head coach looks on against Georgia Tech.

Norm Hall via Getty Images

Total pay: $3,511,285 million

Record: 205-129

22. Jamie Dixon, TCU

TCU head coach Jamie Dixon watches his team against Kansas State.

Peter G. Aiken via Getty Images

Total Pay: $3,512,107 million

Record: 139-97

21. Matt Painter, Purdue

Head coach Matt Painter of the Purdue Boilermakers talks with the team during the second half of a game against the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Total Pay: $3,580,000 million

Record: 413-198

20. Jeff Capel, Pittsburgh

Pitsburgh head coach Jeff Capel thinks strategy against Pittsburgh.

Rich Barnes via Getty Images

Total Pay: $3,614,588 million

Record: 75-81

19. Juwan Howard, Michigan

Michigan head coach Juwan Howard calls out a play against Wisconsin.

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

Baylor head coach Scott Drew celebrates winning the 2021 national championship.

Justin Casterline via Getty Images

Total Pay: $3,706,581 million

Record: 422-233

16. Ed Cooley, Providence

Providence head coach Ed Cooley shouts at his team against St. John's.

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

Oregon head coach Dana Altman brainstorms against USC.

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

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Total Pay: $4,100,000 million

Record: 76-47

11. Eric Musselman, Arkansas

ERic Musselman instructs his team against Vanderbilt.

Wesley Hitt via Getty Images

Total Pay: $4,100,000 million

Record: 95-42

10. Mick Cronin, UCLA

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin happily reacts againt Marquette.

Patrick McDermott via Getty Images

Total Pay: $4,100,000 million

Record: 99-36

9. Bob Huggins, West Virginia

West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins watches his team play against Oklahoma State.

Mitchell Layton via Getty Images

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

Texas head coach Chris Beard instructs his player against West Virginia.

Chris Covatta via Getty Images

Total Pay: $5,005,000 million (recently hired by Ole Miss)

Record: 22-12

5. Bruce Pearl, Auburn

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl coaches against Kentucky.

Todd Kirkland via Getty Images

Total Pay: $5,449,152 million

Record: 187-111

4. Rick Barnes, Tennessee

Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes directs his team against Oregon State.

Sarah Stier via Getty Images

Total Pay: $5,450,000 million

Record: 175-92

3. Tom Izzo, Michigan State

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo shows emotion on the sideline against Penn State.

Rey Del Rio via Getty Images

Total Pay: $5,738,727 million

Record: 687-280

2. Bill Self, Kansas

Kansas head coach Bill Self calls a play against Michigan State.

Lance King via Getty Images

Total Pay: $5,963,800 million

Record: 580-132

1. John Calipari, Kentucky

Kentucky head coach John Calipari directs his team against Georgia.

Andy Lyons via Getty Images

Total Pay: $8,533,483 million

Record: 387-113

MORE: The 25 Highest-Paid College Football Coaches are Filthy Rich