College Basketball’s Highest-Paid Coaches After Todd Golden’s New Deal; 2025 Carousel Winds Down
The 2025 college basketball offseason has been as turbulent as ever, full of coaching changes, blockbuster transfer moves, and NBA Draft decisions, but amidst the whirlwind, one clear trend has emerged: coaching salaries are soaring, and Florida’s Todd Golden is the latest to cash in.
Coming off a national championship season, Golden has signed a new six-year extension worth $40.5 million, locking him into Gainesville through 2031. The amended deal bumps his annual salary to $6 million starting in 2025–26, with $300,000 yearly raises. That figure places the 39-year-old among the five highest-paid coaches in college basketball and underscores his meteoric rise from mid-major success to national prominence.
Golden’s deal also symbolizes the growing financial stakes for high-level programs determined to compete for championships. His extension caps off a coaching carousel that has reshaped the financial leaderboard, with big-name hires and contract restructures pushing compensation to unprecedented heights.
Top 20 Highest-Paid Coaches in College Basketball (2024–25 Season)
According to the USA Today database
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Bill Self, Kansas – $8,803,800
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John Calipari, Arkansas – $8,000,000
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Dan Hurley, UConn – $7,775,000
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Tom Izzo, Michigan State – $6,196,879
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Mick Cronin, UCLA – $6,100,000
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Todd Golden, Florida – $6,000,000 (starting in 2025–26)
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Bruce Pearl, Auburn – $5,933,852
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Rick Barnes, Tennessee – $5,800,000
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Scott Drew, Baylor – $5,410,061
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Tommy Lloyd, Arizona – $5,250,000
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Nate Oats, Alabama – $5,018,045
T-12. Mark Pope, Kentucky – $5,000,000
T-12. Chris Beard, Ole Miss – $5,000,000 -
Matt Painter, Purdue – $4,850,000
T-15. Sean Miller, Texas – $4,800,000
T-15. Buzz Williams, Maryland – $4,800,000
T-15. Brad Underwood, Illinois – $4,800,000 -
Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska – $4,750,000
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Dusty May, Michigan – $4,650,000
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Kelvin Sampson, Houston – $4,604,000
A Changing Landscape
The sharp increases in coaching pay come amid a rapidly evolving college sports environment. With NIL deals, the transfer portal, and increased media rights revenue, universities are investing heavily in leaders they believe can bring stability and titles.
Golden’s new deal follows a run that saw Florida climb back to national prominence with a high-octane offense and aggressive defense. His reward underscores not only his value but Florida’s determination to stay competitive in the loaded SEC, which also includes fellow $ 5 M+ earners like Bruce Pearl, Nate Oats, and Mark Pope.
Other big names cashed in too. Michigan’s Dusty May earned a raise to $4.65 million per year after leading the Wolverines from the Big Ten cellar to a Sweet 16 berth. Texas hired Sean Miller away from Xavier, Maryland lured Buzz Williams from Texas A&M, and Illinois retained Brad Underwood—all with $4.8 million deals.
Meanwhile, veterans like Bill Self and John Calipari remain at the top of the pay scale. Despite down seasons, their track records—and massive market impact—keep them entrenched as coaching royalty. Self, the sport’s highest-paid coach, is set to earn nearly $9 million in 2024–25.
What’s Next?
As the 2025 coaching carousel slows and attention turns to summer workouts, the message is clear: schools are willing to pay top dollar to secure coaching talent. Whether through new contracts or strategic hires, athletic departments are betting big on leadership at a time when winning requires every edge on the court and in the budget.
With Golden now firmly among the game’s elite earners, the pressure—and expectations—in Gainesville will be sky-high. But if his track record is any indication, Florida’s investment may pay dividends for years to come.
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