What coaches are getting paid the most in the Big Ten in 2025, and which coaches look like bargains?
With all of its resources and revenue, it is no surprise the Big Ten is home to some of college football's highest-paid coaches in college football. As expected, some of the biggest brands in the sport will be investing the most into their choice of head coach, although the results on the field may vary from school to school.
Nevertheless, being a Big Ten football coach is a high-paying gig, and a number of Big Ten coaches are living the good life as a result. USA TODAY Sports has updated the coaching salary database for 2025 to give us an updated look at which Big Ten coaches are being paid the most. This also gives us a clue as to which schools are getting some real bargains and which schools may want to start looking at those buyout costs a little closer.
Here is a ranking of Big Ten football coaching salaries for 2025 according to USA TODAY Sports' coaching salary database. There is no information provided for Northwestern head coach David Braun, so Northwestern is not included in this list.
1. Ryan Day, Ohio State (No. 2 nationally)
- Annual pay: $12,500,000
- Maximum bonus: $1,550.000
- School buyout: $70,916,667
2. Lincoln Riley, USC (No. 3 nationally)
- Annual pay: $11,537,560
- Maximum bonus: N/A
- School buyout: N/A
3. Dan Lanning, Oregon (No. 6 nationally)
- Annual pay: $10,400,000
- Maximum bonus: $1,675,000
- School buyout: $56,733,333
4. Matt Rhule, Nebraska (No. 15 nationally)
- Annual pay: $8,500,000
- Maximum bonus: $950,000
- School buyout: $49,612,500
5. James Franklin, Penn State (No. 16 nationally)
- Annual pay: $8,500,000
- Maximum bonus: N/A
- School buyout: $48,666,667
6. Curt Cignetti, Indiana (No. 18 nationally)
- Annual pay: $8,300,000
- Maximum bonus: $3,300,000
- School buyout: $56,700,000
7. Bret Bielema, Illinois (No. 19 nationally)
- Annual pay: $8,200,000
- Maximum bonus: $1,600,000
- School buyout: $49,491,667
8. Luke Fickle, Wisconsin (No. 21 nationally)
- Annual pay: $7,825,000
- Maximum bonus: $1,450,000
- School buyout: $27,493,333
9. Jedd Fisch, Washington (No. 22 nationally)
- Annual pay: $7,575,024
- Maximum bonus: $1,550,000
- School buyout: $33,686,666
10. Jonathan Smith, Michigan State (No. 27 nationally)
- Annual pay: $7,350,000
- Maximum bonus: $1,785,000
- School buyout: $33,033,125
11. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa (No. 29 nationally)
- Annual pay: $7,175,000
- Maximum bonus: $2,650,000
- School buyout: $25,729,167
12. P.J. Fleck, Minnesota (No. 31 nationally)
- Annual pay: $7,000,000
- Maximum bonus: $1,450,000
- School buyout: $26,600,000
13. Greg Schiano, Rutgers (No. 38 nationally)
- Annual pay: $6,500,000
- Maximum bonus: $2,450,000
- School buyout: $23,735,156
14. Sherrone Moore, Michigan (No. 40 nationally)
- Annual pay: $6,110,000
- Maximum bonus: $3,775,000
- School buyout: $13,897,916
15. Mike Locksley, Maryland (No. 41 nationally)
- Annual pay: $6,100,000
- Maximum bonus: $1,675,000
- School buyout: $13,395,417
16. Barry Odom, Purdue (No. 42 nationally)
- Annual pay: $6,050,000
- Maximum bonus: $1,305,000
- School buyout: $25,125,000
17. DeShaun Foster, UCLA (No. 62 nationally)
- Annual pay: $3,100,000
- Maximum bonus: $1,300,000
- School buyout: N/A
DeShaun Foster was removed as head coach earlier this season.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Ranking 2025 Big Ten football coaching salaries from highest to lowest
Category: General Sports
