Grading the Salaries: Which Coaches are the Best Investments?

Are these coaches good investments? Let me grade them for you.

Salaries, according to USA Today

1. Nick Saban, Alabama $11.407 million

Grade: A-plus

Hard to argue against Saban being at the top in college football salary.

2. Dabo Swinney, Clemson $10.884 million

Grade: A

He’s been amazing for the Tigers with two nattys, but doesn’t get the “plus” here because of his stubbornness to adapt.

3. Kirby Smart, Georgia $10.705 million

Grade: A-plus

Right up there with Saban as far as amazing investments go. You could easily argue he should be No. 1.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart speaks with Kentucky coach Mark Stoops before the start of a NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.

4. Ryan Day, Ohio St $10.271 million

Grade: A

He will get the “plus” when he wins it all, and that is likely to happen sooner than later.

5. Mel Tucker, Mich St $10.015 million

Grade: F

What an absolute disaster and completely dumb contact. This always made zero sense.

6. Brian Kelly, LSU $9.975 million

Grade: C

I’m not sold on the results at all. An SEC West title is nice and all, but some losses have been awful, like A&M last season and the defensive performance against Ole Miss.

7. Jimbo Fisher, A&M $9.150 million

Grade: D

This hasn’t worked out at all, and he’s not worth the money. One good season and 5-7 last year is followed by 4-2 this season so far. Meh.

Sep 9, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher looks on from the field prior to the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium.

8. Mark Stoops, Kentucky $9.013 million

Grade: A

Despite the drubbing against UGA, Stoops has been amazing for Kentucky and is one of the best hires of the last decade.

9. Josh Huepel, Tennessee $9.000 million

Grade: A

So far, so good, as he’s a smart and legit hire by the Vols, something rare in Knoxville since Fulmer.

10. Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss $9.000 million

Grade: B-minus

This is a lot of money, and the collapse last year was brutal, but Ole Miss is relevant and ranked at least.

11. James Franklin, Penn St $8.500 million

Grade: A

Personally, the only thing holding him back from an A+ is the record against Ohio State and Michigan. But he’s been worth every penny.

12. Jim Harbaugh, Michigan $8.254 million

Grade: A-plus

At first, this didn’t look as good as it did on paper, but now? He could win it all this season.

Oct 7, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh reacts during the second quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium.

13. Luke Fickell, Wisconsin $7.625 million

Grade: B

It’s kind of early to say, but I believe Fickell will get things done at Wisconsin.

14. Mike Gundy, Okla St $7.625 million

Grade: A

Despite the ups and downs last season and this, Gundy has been an amazing hire and deserves every penny for the most part.

15. Mike Norvell, Florida St $7.300 million

Grade: A

His overall record isn’t great, but he’s turned FSU into the king of the ACC and a national title contender in short order.

Sep 3, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell is excited during the fourth quarter against the Louisiana State Tigers at Camping World Stadium.

16. Billy Napier, Florida $7.270 million

Grade: C

Sun Belt Billy has been up and down, and he won’t get to see this through beyond the 2024 season.

17. Brent Venables, OU $7.100 million

Grade: B-plus

He’s on a high from the Texas win and has his team in title contention in year two.

18. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa $7.000 million

Grade: A

The man just wins games, and imagine if he wasn’t so loyal to his son?

19. Dan Lanning, Oregon $6.624 million

Grade: B-plus

So far, so good after a tough start at the hands of UGA. Oregon is in a better spot than with Mario Cristobal.

20. Hugh Freeze, Auburn $6,500 million

Grade: B-plus

Freeze is the right fit for Auburn, I’m sure of it, and he will be a problem in the SEC in a couple of seasons.

Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze looks on during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field.

21. Bret Bielema, Illinois $6.500 million

Grade: B

Things look bad this season, but who is Illinois going to get that’s better? At least they had last season.

22. Sam Pittman, Arkansas $6.357 million

Grade: C-plus

It’s getting ugly at Arkansas after his first two seasons, and he might not last much longer.

23. Kyle Whittingham, Utah $6,325 million

Grade: A-plus

Just a consistent winner and worth every penny. He’s one of the bargains in the industry.

Dec 2, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham reacts after being doused with Gatorade in the second half of the Pac-12 Championship against the Southern California Trojans at Allegiant Stadium.

24. Shane Beamer, South Carolina $6.125 million

Grade: B

This year hasn’t been a great one so far, but Beamer appears to be a solid hire overall, and recruiting is going well.

25. Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri $6.000 million

Grade: B

Drink looks better and better as this season has saved his job and now has him in line for a raise if it continues.

26. P.J. Fleck, Minnesota $6.000 million

Grade: B

Is it falling apart? I’m not sure, but he’s been consistent and solid for the Gophers so far.