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
Total Pay: $3,494,026 million
Record: 4-28
24. Chris Holtmann, Ohio State
Total Pay: $3,500,000 million
Record: 123-75
23. Andy Enfield, USC
Total pay: $3,511,285 million
Record: 205-129
22. Jamie Dixon, TCU
Total Pay: $3,512,107 million
Record: 139-97
21. Matt Painter, Purdue
Total Pay: $3,580,000 million
Record: 413-198
20. Jeff Capel, Pittsburgh
Total Pay: $3,614,588 million
Record: 75-81
19. Juwan Howard, Michigan
Total Pay: $3,616,000 million
Record: 79-48
18. Greg Gard, Wisconsin
Total Pay: $3,637,500 million
Record: 164-92
17. Scott Drew, Baylor
Total Pay: $3,706,581 million
Record: 422-233
16. Ed Cooley, Providence
Total Pay: $3,751,112 million (hired by Georgetown, reportedly being paid about $6 million a year)
Record: 221-141
15. Kevin Willard, Maryland
Total Pay: $3,900,000 million
Record: 22-13
14. Tommy Lloyd, Arizona
Total Pay: $4 million
Record: 61-11
13. Dana Altman, Oregon
Total Pay: $4,009,500 million
Record: 321-140
12. Buzz Williams, Texas A&M
Total Pay: $4,100,000 million
Record: 76-47
11. Eric Musselman, Arkansas
Total Pay: $4,100,000 million
Record: 95-42
10. Mick Cronin, UCLA
Total Pay: $4,100,000 million
Record: 99-36
9. Bob Huggins, West Virginia
Total Pay: $4,150,000 million
Record: 345-203
8. Brad Underwood, Illinois
Total Pay: $4,600,550 million
Record: 114-79
7. Tony Bennett, Virginia
Total Pay: $4,830,345 million
Record: 341-125
6. Chris Beard, Texas
Total Pay: $5,005,000 million (recently hired by Ole Miss)
Record: 22-12
5. Bruce Pearl, Auburn
Total Pay: $5,449,152 million
Record: 187-111
4. Rick Barnes, Tennessee
Total Pay: $5,450,000 million
Record: 175-92
3. Tom Izzo, Michigan State
Total Pay: $5,738,727 million
Record: 687-280
2. Bill Self, Kansas
Total Pay: $5,963,800 million
Record: 580-132
1. John Calipari, Kentucky
Total Pay: $8,533,483 million
Record: 387-113