Iowa's Kirk Ferentz ranks among college football's 30 highest-paid coaches in 2026

Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz, the longest-tenured coach in college football, ranks among the sport's 30 highest-paid coaches for the 2026 season, earning just over $7 million as he enters his 28th year in Iowa City.

Ferentz, who last signed an extension with the Hawkeyes in 2022 that keeps him with the team through the 2029 season, is one of several Big Ten coaches featured on the list compiled by On3's Coaching Salaries Database. His salary places him at No. 30 on the national list, ahead of several other conference coaches.

The 2026 coaching salary landscape reflects the dramatic changes in college football, where head coaches now juggle traditional responsibilities like play-calling and practice leadership alongside NIL management, transfer portal recruiting, and navigating complex legal challenges. The result is that the sport's top coaches now command eight-figure salaries.

Who are the highest-paid coaches in college football for 2026?

Three coaches are reportedly earning over $13 million annually in 2026, led by Georgia's Kirby Smart. Smart signed a 10-year, $130 million deal in 2024 that made him the first coach to earn at least $13 million per year. He remains under contract through the 2033 season.

Indiana's Curt Cignetti ranks second after leading the Hoosiers to their first College Football Playoff title and a perfect season. His revised contract averages $13.2 million through 2033, a significant boost from his previous $11.6 million annual salary.

Lane Kiffin rounds out the top three after his dramatic departure from Ole Miss to LSU, landing a seven-year, $91 million deal that runs through the 2032 season.

How do Big Ten coaches compare in 2026?

Several Big Ten coaches feature prominently on the list. Ohio State's Ryan Day, who led the Buckeyes to the national title in January 2025, earns an average of $12.5 million per year through 2031.

Oregon's Dan Lanning, just 40 years old, is making around $11 million per year through the 2031 season as the Ducks continue their strong transition to the Big Ten.

Nebraska's Matt Rhule signed an extension during rumors connecting him to Penn State's vacancy in 2025, adding two years to a contract worth around $87 million total. He is now under contract through the 2032 season with added incentives for CFP appearances.

What about other notable coaching salaries?

Several coaches signed new deals in the 2026 offseason. Alabama's Kalen DeBoer agreed to a seven-year, $87.5 million extension through 2033, paying him an average of $12.5 million per year. Texas A&M's Mike Elko signed a six-year, $69 million extension through 2031.

Deion Sanders at Colorado agreed to a five-year, $54 million extension that keeps him at the school through 2029, with his salary set to increase to $11 million by 2027.

Bill Belichick's tenure at UNC has gotten off to a rough start with a four-win debut season, but the Tar Heels have stuck by the legendary NFL coach. His five-year, $50 million contract runs through 2029, with the first three years reportedly guaranteed if he is fired without cause before December 2027.

Former Iowa State coach Matt Campbell is now at Penn State after the Nittany Lions parted ways with James Franklin. Campbell agreed to an eight-year, $70.5 million deal running through 2033, starting at $8 million in 2026.

Which coaches are facing pressure in 2026?

Several coaches enter the 2026 season with questions about their job security. Florida State's Mike Norvell owns a losing record in each of the last two seasons after strong years in 2022 and 2023, though his 2023 extension runs through 2031 and pays him over $10 million per year.

Wisconsin's Luke Fickell, who owns a 17-21 record since taking over in 2022, requested that the Badgers not give him a customary one-year extension this past offseason. He originally signed a seven-year deal in 2022 averaging around $7.8 million per season.

Colorado's Deion Sanders has only one bowl game appearance in his three previous seasons, adding pressure for 2026 despite his lucrative contract.

Kirk Ferentz's place in Iowa football history

Ferentz remains a fixture in Iowa football, now entering his 28th season with the Hawkeyes. His longevity is unmatched in the sport, and his salary of just over $7 million reflects both his sustained success and Iowa's commitment to stability at the head coach position.

His 2022 extension keeps him in Iowa City through the 2029 season, ensuring the Hawkeyes will continue to be led by one of the most experienced coaches in college football history.