The 10 Highest Paid College Football Coaches and their Homes

I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks college football is even more entertaining than the NFL, with a lot of surprises every season, an insane atmosphere, less talk shows and a lot more variety on the field. But NCAA players don’t get paid anything for their work on the field, even though college football is a billion dollar industry right now, with all the ticket sales, fans memorabilia, TV rights and so on.

When it comes to money, the franchises and their coaches are the real winners of college football, getting a big slice of the pie every year. For instance, in 2015 there are 71 college football coaches raking in more than one million, according to this list from USA Today, and believe it or not, even some assistant coaches received salaries topping one million this season.

That’s why it’s no wonder that in almost every state in the US college football and also college basketball coaches are the highest paid public employees. And today we’ve decided to enter the lives of the top ten highest paid college football coaches in 2015, showing you the places they call home.

We couldn’t find too many details or photos with their homes, but this list should still give you an idea on how college football coaches roll.

10. Hugh Freeze (Mississippi) – $4,310,000

After a couple of successful seasons with Ole Miss, Hugh Freeze signed a new contract with the University of Mississippi this season, getting a major contract raise which makes him one of the 10 highest paid coaches in 2015.

His salary was increased from $3.15 million to $4.3 million, which means he received a 36.5% raise and I’m sure he was more than pleased with this significant raise. His house is pretty impressive as well, located in Oxford, Mississippi.

9. Les Miles (LSU) – $4,388,721

It’s been 10 years since Les Miles has been named LSU’s head coach, a decade filled with several division titles for the Tigers, two trips to the championship game and most important, a National Championship back in 2007.

For years the Mad Hatter has been one of the best coaches in the league, with a 109-29 record for the Tigers alone and 6-0 this season. His home is pretty amazing as well, located in a residential community in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

8. James Franklin (Penn State) – $4,400,000

Ever since he became a head coach at Vanderbilt, James Franklin has been of the most sought after young coaches in the league, and in 2014 the Penn State Nittany Lions managed to convince him to return to his home state by offering James a $25.5 million deal for 6 years.

His dreamy home in Nashville has been listed for sale last year, but we don’t know if he managed to sell it or not yet.

7. Kevin Sumlin (Texas A&M) – $5,000,000

In just a couple of years Kevin Sumlin managed to make the Aggies one of the most exciting teams in the league, right after he named Johnny Manziel as a starter back in 2012. That season will be in the record books for a long time, but even though the team’s roster has changed almost completely, the Aggies are still really fun to watch, and it’s all thanks to the coaching staff.

Sumlin signed a big 6-year contract with Texas A&M two years ago, so he can afford living in this massive mansion in College Station, Texas.

6. Charlie Strong (Texas) – $5,100,270

Charlie Strong’s impressive seasons with the University of Louisville brought him to the University of Texas in 2014, where he signed a 5 year, $25 million deal with the Texas Longhorns.

His first year here was a little rough and this season seems to go on the same line, but who knows? Maybe he can turn things around in the next years. His former home in Louisville, Kentucky is totally worth a look.

5. Jimbo Fisher (Florida State) – $5,150,000

I really think Jimbo Fisher is the college football coach who offers the best value for his salary right now. In the past 3 years he has a jaw dropping 33-1 record with Florida State, taking the Seminoles to the BCS National Title in 2014 and the Playoff Semifinal last year.

Despite losing Jameis Winston and many other important players to the NFL this season, Florida State is still among the elite in college football and will probably get close to another title this season. Jimbo Fisher has always loved Florida, and lives in this home from Tallahasse, Florida, since 2007.

4. Bob Stoops (Oklahoma) – $5,400,000

Head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners since 1999, Bob Stoops has made the team one of the best in the league for almost two decades.

During the last 16 years he broke every coaching record for the Sooners, taking a title home in 2000, which explains why he’s been one of the highest paid college football coaches for many, many years. He has recently moved to this massive house in Norman, Oklahoma, which is even nicknamed “Chateau de Stoops”.

3. Urban Meyer (Ohio State) – $5,860,000

After five amazing seasons with the Florida Gators between 2005 and 2010, with two National championships in between, Urban Meyer has announced his retirement from coaching, only to return as the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2012 to continue his successful legacy in college football.

Last year he’s done it again, winning his third title, as the Buckeyes have won the first ever College Football Playoff championship. He’s currently living in this massive home in Dublin, Ohio, overlooking the greens of the Muirfield Village Golf Club.

2. Jim Harbaugh (Michigan) – $7,004,000

After four impressive years with the 49ers and maybe a play or two (and a brother) away from a Super Bowl title, Jim Harbaugh was one of the hottest coaches in the NFL. That’s why bringing him back to the NCAA wasn’t cheap for Michigan, but the Wolverines decided to go all-in for him and he’s already doing a great job.

The University of Michigan decided to pay him $7,004,000 for 2015, which makes him the highest paid college football coach in terms of school pay alone this year. He might get a lot more from bonuses, but that all depends on the team’s results. In terms of homes, Jim Harbaugh is also doing pretty well, living in this beautiful 6,127 square foot home from Atherton, California.

1. Nick Saban (Alabama) – $7,087,481

Well, well, you didn’t expect to see anyone else on the 1st spot, right? It was a close call, and Nick Saban is actually second in terms of school pay this year, getting exactly $6,932,395 from Alabama, but he’s receiving another $155,086 from commercials, so you’re looking up at a 2015 salary of $7,087,481 for him.

He was brought to Alabama to build a modern-day dynasty here and instantly turned the Crimson Tide into the most feared team in college football, winning three titles in the past 6 years. He also had a title with LSU and a two year stint in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins before joining Alabama, that’s why he’s paid like a king and living like one.

He has many properties under his name but the most impressive has to be “The Pointe on Lake Burton”, a gorgeous lakeside estate with six bedrooms and nine bathrooms, which was listed for sale two years for $10.9 million. Last year he has sold another house to the Crimson Tide Foundation for $3.1 million, so he’s also scoring high at real estate.