Jim Harbaugh isn't even one of the highest paid college football coaches.
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Jim Harbaugh and the 25 Highest-Paid College Football Coaches in 2023

From Nick Saban to Dabo Swinney, the 25 highest-paid college football coaches make a small fortune to lead their programs.

Jim Harbaugh has finally led the Michigan Wolverines to a national championship, and if he ends up staying after this season, he's going to be moving way up on the list of highest-paid coaches in college football.

Coaching college football seems like the most stressful job on the planet. College coaches are tasked with, essentially, raising 100-plus young men flying through their college years. Every aspect of the job, from press conferences to behavior on the field, is scrutinized by everyone. If you're not performing well, it's not easy to hide, especially if you're one of the 25 highest-paid college football coaches.

When you're headed for the College Football Playoff, your body of work is met with questions like, "Is it good enough?" It's a day-in, day-out grind, and honestly, I understand why so few coaches find national championship-level success. Despite that diatribe in support of the NCAA's elite leaders, I'd happily eat the B.S. coming my way if I made the kind of money these college football coaches do.

Annually, USA Today publishes a database listing the salaries of all 133 FBS head football coaches. Based on this, we can figure out who is making the most to wear the headset on Saturdays.

It should be no surprise to see the No. 1 name resides in Tuscaloosa, as Alabama head coach Nick Saban has the rings to back up the pay. In fact, six of the top 10 salaries in the sport can be found in the SEC, where "it just means more" moolah. One thing to note here is that Mel Tucker is still on this list despite being fired by Michigan State this season.

As for Harbaugh, the Wolverines head coach didn't even make it into the top 10 this year. While there is nonstop speculation about Harbaugh returning to the NFL to coach, Michigan could try to offer a king's ransom to keep their head coach in Ann Arbor.

Despite the uncertainty of the ever-spinning coaching carousel, one thing is certain. It pays to coach college football.

25. Kyle Whittingham, Utah Utes

Kyle Whittingham coaches against Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship Game.

Ethan Miller via Getty Images

Salary: $6.3 million

24. Sam Pittman, Arkansas Razorbacks

Sam Pittman stands on the sideline during a game.

Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Salary: $6.4 million

23. Bret Bielema, Illinois Illini 

Bret Bielema talks to a referee during a game.

Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Salary: $6.5 million

22. Hugh Freeze, Auburn Tigers

Hugh Freeze at Liberty

Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Salary: $6.5 million

21. Dan Lanning, Oregon Ducks

Dan Lanning of Oregon smiles during a game.

Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images

Salary: $6.6 million

20. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz preparing to lead his team onto the field against Nebraska.

Steven Branscombe via Getty Images

Salary: $7 million

19. Brent Venables, Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables coaches his team during the spring game.

Brian Bahr via Getty Images

Salary: $7.1 million

18. Billy Napier, Florida Gators

Billy Napier claps on the sideline.

Photo by David Becker/Getty Images

Salary: $7.3 million

17. Mike Norvell, Florida State Seminoles

Head coach Mike Norvell of the Florida State Seminoles looks on during the second quarter of a game against the Florida Gators

Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images

Salary: $7.3 million

16. Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State Cowboys

Mike Gundy coaches the Oklahoma State Cowboys against Texas Tech.

John E. Moore III via Getty Images

Salary: $7.6 million

15. Luke Fickell, Wisconsin Badgers

Head coach Luke Fickell of the Cincinnati Bearcats stands on the sidelines during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

Salary: $7.6 million

14. Mario Cristobal, Miami Hurricanes

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal speaks at a basketball game.

Samuel Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Salary: $8 million (reported)

13. Jim Harbaugh, Michigan Wolverines

Jim Harbaugh celebrating Michigan winning the Big 10 Championship.

Justin Casterline via Getty Images

Salary: $8.3 million

12. James Franklin, Penn State Nittany Lions

James Franklin gets his team ready before a game against Michigan.

Scott Taetsch via Getty Images

Salary: $8.5 million

11. Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss Rebels

Lane Kiffin high fives one of his players in the 2022 Sugar Bowl.

Jonathan Bachman via Getty Images

Salary: $9 million

10. Josh Heupel, Tennessee Volunteers

Head coach Josh Heupel of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates a win over the Alabama Crimson Tide with a cigar at Neyland Stadium

Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images

Salary: $9 million

9. Mark Stoops, Kentucky Wildcats

Mark Stoops coaches his team against New Mexico State.

Andy Lyons via Getty Images

Salary: $9.01 million

8. Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M Aggies

Jimbo Fisher coaches against Arkansas.

Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Salary: $9.1 million

7. Brian Kelly, LSU Tigers

Brian Kelly coaching LSU during the 2022 Spring Game.

John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Salary: $9.9 million

6. Lincoln Riley, USC Trojans

Lincoln Riley coaches during the USC Spring Game in 2022.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea via Getty Images

Salary: $10 million (estimated)

5. Mel Tucker, Michigan State Spartans

Mel Tucker coaching a game against Ohio State.

Emilee Chinn via Getty Images

Salary: $10 million

4. Ryan Day, Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State coach Ryan Day reacts to a play against Penn State.

Emilee Chinn via Getty Images

Salary: $10.3 million

3. Kirby Smart, Georgia Bulldogs

Kirby Smart after Georgia won the 2022 CFP National Championship.

Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Salary: $10.7 million

2. Dabo Swinney, Clemson Tigers

Dabo Swinney coaches in a game against Wake Forest.

Jacob Kupferman via Getty Images

Salary: $10.9 million

1. Nick Saban, Alabama Crimson Tide

Nick Saban is the highest-paid college football coach in 2022 for Alabama.

Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Salary: $11.4 million

MORE: The 5 Active College Football Head Coaches With National Titles