The 2024 college football season brought not only thrilling games and surprise victories but also record-breaking bonus payouts for head coaches. With the expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) and the success of several programs, public-school head coaches in the Bowl Subdivision received over $16.8 million in bonuses for their on-field achievements. Four coaches earned at least $1 million each, making this a historic payout year.
Record-Breaking Bonus Payouts for Coaches
The expansion of the CFP and outstanding team performances resulted in some of the highest-ever bonus payouts for college football coaches. The total bonus amount of $16.8 million surpassed last season’s record of $15.5 million. Notably, this was the first time four coaches received at least $1 million in bonuses in a single season.
Top Bonus Earners
Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham led all coaches with a staggering $2.6 million in bonuses. His team’s strong performance, finishing No. 7 in both the US LBM Football Coaches Poll and the Associated Press Poll, added an extra $39,500 to his total earnings.
Other top bonus earners included:
- Curt Cignetti (Indiana) – $1.5 million
- Matt Campbell (Iowa State) – $1.35 million
- Ryan Day (Ohio State) – $1 million
Ryan Day’s total included a $500,000 bonus for Ohio State’s national championship victory over Notre Dame.
Kenny Dillingham’s Historic Bonus and New Contract
Dillingham’s $2.6 million bonus is the second-largest single-season payout ever for a public-school coach, behind Jim Harbaugh’s $3 million bonus from Michigan’s national championship run last year.
His success with Arizona State (11-3 record, Big 12 title, and a double-overtime CFP quarterfinal loss to Texas) led to a new contract. His 2025 salary will increase from $4.05 million to $6.4 million, along with a $1 million signing bonus. He will also have the opportunity to stay on a five-year, rolling contract with increasing bonuses if Arizona State wins at least six regular-season games.
Additionally, Dillingham has pledged to distribute $200,000 of his bonuses among his coaching staff.
Indiana’s Curt Cignetti Cashes In
Curt Cignetti made a remarkable impact in his first year at Indiana, turning a struggling 3-9 team from 2023 into an 11-2 powerhouse. His contract originally included an automatic one-year extension if the team made a bowl game. However, after leading the Hoosiers to the CFP, he renegotiated a new deal.
New Contract Details for Cignetti:
- Original deal: Six years, $27 million ($20 million guaranteed)
- New deal: Eight years, $72 million ($64 million guaranteed)
- Increased buyout protection: If Indiana makes the CFP, he is guaranteed 100% of the remaining contract amount if fired without cause
This contract makes Cignetti one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.
Iowa State’s Matt Campbell’s Big Payday
Despite Iowa State missing the CFP, Matt Campbell still earned an impressive $1.35 million in bonuses. His team set a school record with 11 wins and tied for the Big 12 regular-season title.
The school announced that Campbell’s contract has been extended by four years, though financial details have not yet been disclosed.
Ohio State’s Ryan Day and Staff Reap CFP Rewards
Ohio State’s national championship win provided significant financial rewards for its coaching staff. Head coach Ryan Day earned a total of $1 million in bonuses, with $500,000 coming from the championship game victory.
Additionally, Ohio State’s assistant coaches and strength coach will collectively receive $4.3 million in bonuses. Athletic director Ross Bjork will also receive a $50,000 bonus for the team’s CFP final appearance.
New Contracts and Extensions Across College Football
Cignetti wasn’t the only coach to secure a long-term deal. Eight other coaches met performance goals that triggered automatic contract extensions or salary increases. Combined, these extensions and raises will be worth at least $37.45 million.
As schools invest heavily in their football programs, coaches who achieve success on the field continue to be rewarded with massive financial incentives.
The Future of Coaching Bonuses in College Football
With the expanded 12-team CFP format, coaches now have more opportunities to earn bonuses tied to postseason appearances and success. As teams continue to invest in coaching talent, these financial incentives are likely to keep rising.
In addition, many schools are increasingly offering retention bonuses and guarantees in their contracts, ensuring long-term stability for successful coaches.
While these bonuses do not include payouts for assistant coaches, athletic directors, or academic performance-based incentives, they highlight the growing financial landscape of college football.
As schools strive for success on the field, coaching contracts are becoming more lucrative than ever, making college football coaching one of the most financially rewarding professions in sports.
Appalachian State: Shawn Clark
►$20,000: Competitive scheduling – play guarantee game at home stadium of Power Five opponent (Clemson)
Arizona State: Kenny Dillingham
â–º$50,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-College Football Playoff bowl game
â–º$200,000: Ninth regular-season win
â–º$300,000: 10th regular-season win
â–º$395,000: Play in Big 12 Conference title game
â–º$50,000: Big 12 coach of the year
â–º$395,000: Win Big 12 title
â–º$39,500: Team No. 25 through No. 11 in final CFP rankings (No. 12)
â–º$1,135,000: Play in CFP quarterfinals
►$39,500: Team No. 10 through No. 6 in final US LBM Football Coaches Poll and Associated Press media poll (No. 7 in both).
Arkansas: Sam Pittman
â–º$100,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$50,000: Play in what contract calls “Tier 2” bowl, which mirrors Southeastern Conference Pool of Six (team playing in Liberty Bowl)
â–º$250,000 raise that began Jan. 1, 2025: Seventh win, which occurred in bowl game against a Power Five or ranked team (Texas Tech).
Arkansas State: Butch Jones
â–º$25,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
Army: Jeff Monken
(Note: If team’s multi-year NCAA Academic Progress Rate is less than 975, Monken’s bonuses would be reduced by various percentages, depending on the APR figure.)
â–º$100,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$25,000: Seventh regular-season win
â–º$75,000: Win over Air Force
â–º$25,000: Eighth regular-season win
â–º$25,000: Ninth regular-season win
â–º$50,000: 10th regular-season win
â–º$50,000: Win American Athletic Conference title
â–º$50,000: Team in top 25 of final rankings (No. 22 CFP, No. 21 Coaches and AP)
â–º$50,000: Win non-CFP bowl game
Boise State: Spencer Danielson
â–º$11,000: Sixth Mountain West Conference win
â–º$22,000: American Football Coaches Association regional coach of the year
â–º$11,000: Seventh Mountain West win
â–º$44,000: Play in Mountain West title game
â–º$22,000: Mountain West coach of the year
â–º$66,000: Win Mountain West title
â–º$110,000: Play in CFP quarterfinals
Bowling Green: Scot Loeffler
â–º$25,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$7,500: Fifth Mid-American Conference win
â–º$25,000: Sixth MAC win
â–º$5,000: Bowling Green player named MAC player of the year (Harold Fannin Jr.)
Buffalo: Pete Lembo
â–º$25,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$15,000: Eighth regular-season win
â–º$35,000: Win non-CFP bowl game
California: Justin Wilcox
â–º$25,000: Win over Stanford
â–º$25,000: Sixth regular-season win
â–º$40,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
Clemson: Dabo Swinney
â–º$75,000: Eligible for non-CFP bowl game with at least eight wins
â–º$50,000: Play in Atlantic Coast Conference title game
â–º$200,000: Win ACC title
â–º$75,000: Play in CFP first round
Coastal Carolina: Tim Beck
â–º$150,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
Colorado: Deion Sanders
â–º$150,000: Sixth win
â–º$150,000: Eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$100,000: Seventh regular-season win
â–º$100,000: Eighth regular-season win
â–º$100,000: Ninth regular-season win
Colorado State: Jay Norvell
â–º$50,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$25,000: Fourth Mountain West win
â–º$50,000: Seventh win
â–º$25,000: Fifth Mountain West win
â–º$50,000: Eighth win
â–º$50,000: Sixth Mountain West win
Connecticut: Jim Mora
â–º$25,000: Sixth regular-season win
â–º$50,000: Eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$10,000: Seventh regular-season win
â–º$10,000: Eighth regular-season win
East Carolina: Blake Harrell
(Note: Harrell had been serving as interim head coach, and his bonus total is based on the terms of his interim head-coaching agreement and the memorandum of understanding between him and East Carolina after the school removed Harrell’s interim tag and named him head coach.)
â–º$45,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$50,000: Win bowl game following 2024 season
Florida: Billy Napier
â–º$100,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
Fresno State interim coach: Tim Skipper
â–º$50,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
Georgia: Kirby Smart
â–º$50,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$25,000: Eighth win, sets up team for Southeastern Conference Pool of Six bowl
â–º$100,000: Play in SEC title game
â–º$200,000: Win SEC title
â–º$425,000: Play in CFP quarterfinals
Georgia Southern: Clay Helton
â–º$25,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$30,000: Eighth regular-season win
Georgia State: Dell McGee
â–º$10,000: Win over Power Four team (Vanderbilt)
Georgia Tech: Brent Key
â–º$50,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
Illinois: Bret Bielema
►One-year contract extension; $25,000 bonus this season: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game (Agreement set to run through Jan. 31, 2030. Scheduled total pay for that season would be $7.25 million, all guaranteed.)
â–º$150,000 increase in scheduled total and guaranteed pay for season added under automatic contract extension, making it worth $7.4 million: Seventh win
â–º$50,000: Eighth regular-season win
â–º$50,000: Ninth regular-season win
â–º$75,000: Ninth win, sets up team for what contract terms “Tier 1” bowl, which includes ReliaQuest and Citrus (team playing in Citrus)
Indiana: Curt Cignetti
►One-year contract extension; $250,000 raise, beginning next season; $200,000 bonus this season: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game (Agreement set to run through Nov. 30, 2030. Scheduled total pay for that season would be $5.1 million, with $3.3 million guaranteed.)
Note: After Cignetti reached this goal, he and school agreed on new contract that is longer and more lucrative.
â–º$100,000: Fifth Big Ten Conference win
â–º$50,000: Sixth Big Ten win
â–º$500,000: Finish among top two in final Big Ten regular-season standings
â–º$50,000: Big Ten coach of the year
â–º$500,000 bonus this year and increase in the value of buyout if Cignetti is fired without cause to 100% of remaining value of new contract from 85%. (As of Dec. 10, 2024, that difference is nearly $9.5 million.): Play in CFP first round
â–º$100,000: National coach of the year, by Associated Press and other organizations
Iowa: Kirk Ferentz
â–º$100,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
Iowa State: Matt Campbell
â–º$50,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$250,000: Seventh regular-season win
â–º$250,000: Eighth regular-season win
â–º$250,000: Ninth regular-season win
â–º$250,000: 10th regular-season win
â–º$250,000: Play in Big 12 Conference title game with team tied for first place in regular-season conference standings
â–º$50,000: Win bowl game
Jacksonville State: Rich Rodriguez
â–º$10,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$10,000: Seventh regular-season win
â–º$10,000: Eighth regular-season win
â–º$20,000: Win Conference USA title
James Madison: Bob Chesney
â–º$15,000: Win over Power Four team (North Carolina)
â–º$25,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$25,000: Seventh win over FBS opponents
â–º$25,000: Win non-CFP bowl game
Kansas State: Chris Klieman
â–º$50,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
►One-year contract extension: Eighth regular-season win (Contract now set to run through Dec. 31, 2032. Extension now scheduled to pay $6.5 million with at least $3.75 million guaranteed.)
Louisville: Jeff Brohm
â–º$100,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
LSU: Brian Kelly
â–º$500,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
Louisiana-Lafayette: Michael Desormeaux
â–º$25,000: Eligible for non-CFP bowl game with at least seven wins
►One-year contract extension: 10th win (Contract now set to run through Dec. 31, 2027. Extension now scheduled to pay $772,800 with $443,680 million guaranteed.)
â–º$25,000: 10th regular-season win
â–º$25,000: Win Sun Belt Conference division title
â–º$20,000: Sun Belt coach of the year
Marshall: Charles Huff
â–º$50,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$30,000: Seventh win
â–º$50,000: Win Sun Belt title
Memphis: Ryan Silverfield
â–º$25,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$75,000: Eighth win
►One-year contract extension: Ninth regular-season win (Contract now set to run through Dec. 31, 2029. Extension now scheduled to pay $2.8 million with $1.68 million guaranteed.)
â–º$25,000: Ninth win
â–º$25,000: 10th win
â–º$25,000: Team No. 25 through No. 11 in final rankings (No. 25 CFP, No. 23 Coaches, No. 24 AP)
â–º$25,000: 11th win
â–º$50,000: Win non-CFP bowl game
Miami (Ohio): Chuck Martin
â–º$25,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$25,000: Play in MAC title game
â–º$25,000: Win non-CFP bowl game
Minnesota: P.J. Fleck
â–º$100,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$50,000: Fifth Big Ten win
â–º$50,000: Win non-CFP bowl game over Power Four team (Virginia Tech)
Mississippi: Lane Kiffin
â–º$100,000: Regular-season win over non-conference Power Five team (Wake Forest)
â–º$50,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
►One-year contract extension: Seventh win (Contract with Ole Miss Athletics Foundation now set to run through Dec. 31, 2030; contract with university through Dec. 31, 2028. Extension now scheduled to pay $9,000,000, with $7.2 million guaranteed.)
â–º$50,000: Eighth win, sets up team for SEC Pool of Six bowl (team playing Gator Bowl)
â–º$150,000: Fifth SEC win
Missouri: Eliah Drinkwitz
â–º$100,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$25,000: Team in top 25 of final rankings (No. 19 CFP, No. 20 Coaches, No. 22 AP)
â–º$50,000: Play in SEC Group of Six bowl game (team playing in Music City Bowl)
Nebraska: Matt Rhule
â–º$150,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
Nevada-Las Vegas: Barry Odom
â–º$50,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$25,000: Play in Mountain West title game
â–º$25,000: Team in top of final rankings (No. 24 CFP, No. 24 Coaches, No. 23 AP)
North Carolina: Mack Brown
â–º$75,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
North Carolina State: Dave Doeren
â–º$25,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
North Texas: Eric Morris
â–º$35,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
Northern Illinois: Thomas Hammock
â–º$15,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
►One-year contract extension: Win bowl game (Contract now set to run through June 30, 2030. Extension now scheduled to pay $786,225 with $330,500 guaranteed.)
â–º$20,000: Win non-CFP bowl game
Ohio: Tim Albin
►One-year contract extension and $5,000 bonus: Eighth regular-season win (Contract now set to run through Dec. 31, 2028. Extension now scheduled to pay $710,000 with $305,000 guaranteed.)
â–º$5,000: Ninth regular-season win
â–º$30,753: Play in MAC title game
â–º$10,000: MAC coach of the year
â–º$30,753: Win MAC title
Ohio State: Ryan Day
â–º$100,000: Play in CFP first round
â–º$150,000: Play in CFP quarterfinal
â–º$100,000: Play in CFP semifinal
â–º$150,000: Play in CFP championship game
Oregon: Dan Lanning
►One-year contract extension: 10th regular-season win (Contract now set to run through Jan. 31, 2031. Extension now scheduled to pay $9,400,000, all guaranteed.)
â–º$200,000: 11th regular-season win
â–º$100,000: Play in Big Ten championship game
â–º$200,000: 12th regular-season win
â–º$150,000: Win Big Ten title
â–º$200,000: Play in CFP quarterfinals
Penn State: James Franklin
(Note: Penn State announced on Nov. 29 that Franklin’s bonus package has been revised to address a 12-team CFP. The university made no details available. The bonuses listed here are from a term sheet the university previously had released rather than a full-form contract.)
â–º$200,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$200,000: Play in Big Ten title game
Rutgers: Greg Schiano
â–º$100,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
Sam Houston State: K.C. Keeler
â–º$25,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
San Jose State: Ken Niumatalolo
â–º$30,000: Seventh regular-season win
South Alabama: Major Applewhite
â–º$15,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$20,000: Win bowl game
South Carolina: Shane Beamer
â–º$100,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$50,000: Play in Citrus Bowl
South Florida: Alex Golesh
â–º$25,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$50,000: Win non-CFP bowl game
Tennessee: Josh Heupel
â–º$100,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$100,000: Team No. 10 through No. 6 in final rankings (No. 7 CFP, No. 8 Coaches, No. 9 AP)
â–º$100,000: Play in CFP first round
Texas: Steve Sarkisian
â–º$100,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$150,000: Play in SEC title game
â–º$150,000: Play in CFP first round
â–º$250,000: Play in CFP quarterfinal
â–º$250,000: Play in CFP semifinal
Texas-San Antonio: Jeff Traylor
â–º$25,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$25,000: Win bowl game
Texas State: G.J. Kinne
â–º$25,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$50,000: Win bowl game
Texas Tech: Joey McGuire
â–º$25,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$100,000: Eighth regular-season win
Toledo: Jason Candle
â–º$75,000: Sixth regular-season win
â–º$20,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
â–º$60,000: Seventh regular-season win
â–º$30,000: Win bowl game
Utah: Kyle Whittingham
â–º$15,000: Team ranked in top 25 at any time during season (AP preseason top 25, No. 12)
Virginia Tech: Brent Pry
â–º$50,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
Washington: Jedd Fisch
â–º$75,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
Washington State: Jake Dickert
â–º$25,000: Eligible for non-CFP bowl game with at least seven wins
West Virginia: Neal Brown
â–º$50,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
Western Kentucky: Tyson Helton
â–º$50,000: Play in Conference USA title game
â–º$50,000: 8th win assures team will finish with winning record
Western Michigan: Lance Taylor
â–º$25,000: Sixth win, eligible for non-CFP bowl game
