Deion Sanders just received a massive raise from Colorado.
Any talk of Coach Prime going to the NFL has been put to bed by Sanders and Colorado after the third-year head coach agreed to a massive five-year, $54 million contract to keep him in Boulder until 2029. The extension makes him the highest-paid coach in the Big 12, but what about the rest of the college football world?
Sanders’s 2025 base salary will be $10 million, and his average salary throughout the contract will be $10.8 million.
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So, where do those numbers place the Colorado head coach among the country’s highest-paid college football head coaches?
We used the USA TODAY Sports’ college football head coach salaries database to determine where Deion Sanders lands.
Here is where he falls among the top 10 highest-paid coaches, starting at No. 1.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart shouts to his players during the Sugar Bowl against Texas on Jan. 1, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
2024 salary: $13,282,580
Kirby Smart deserves the top spot on the list. He has a couple of national championships under his belt and a perennial top-three program in Athens. They should be a top candidate to be back in the title mix next season.
No. 2: Ryan Day, Ohio State Buckeyes
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Projected 2025 salary: $12,500,000
Ohio State signed Ryan Day to an extension following the Buckeyes’ national championship in January. Day finally got Ohio State to the mountain top after years of struggling in the CFP. He won with a veteran-laden team last season, so can he do it again with a younger squad?
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney motions to his team during the second half of the game against the Texas Longhorns in the CFP National Playoff first round game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
2024 salary: $11,132,775
Clemson has not had the same success in recent years, but they are still a winning football program. The Tigers won the ACC and made the College Football Playoff, and despite an early exit, Clemson should be able to build on that in 2025.
No. 4: Steve Sarkisian, Texas Longhorns
Jan 10, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian before the College Football Playoff semifinal against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
2025 salary: $10.8 million
After a trip to the College Football Playoff semifinals, Texas gave Sarkisian a raise and a contract extension. He has rejuvenated Texas football, and with Arch Manning under center for the next couple of years, the Longhorns are serious title contenders.
No. 5: Lincoln Riley, USC Trojans
Dec 27, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Texas A&M Aggies in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
2024 salary: $10.043,418
USC has underachieved since Riley took over and had another disappointing season in 2024. Caleb Willliams won the Heisman a couple of years ago, but the Trojans haven’t returned to their once national prominence. In a loaded Big Ten, they will again have their work cut out for them.
Nov 30, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer is upset with officials after a Tide player was called for a personal foul during the second half against the Autumn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
2024 salary: $10 million
Kalen DeBoer is simply a winning football coach. He has won big at every stop, which was true in his first season in Tuscaloosa. It was not a dominant season by the Crimson Tide, but he was a solid first year. He looks likely to improve upon last season and return Alabama to the top of the SEC.
Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders calls in a play in the first quarter against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
2025 salary: $10 million
Deion Sanders got a major payday from Colorado this offseason, and he deserved it after taking Colorado from a 1-11 team to a 9-4 season in 2024. Sanders’ contract extension will average $10.8 million throughout its duration. Coach Prime will have expectations of getting Colorado to the College Football Playoff with his salary now within the top six coaches.
Oct 5, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell looks on during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
2024 salary: $10 million
Florida State will need to rebound from a disastrous season last year. Norvell will have to right the ship quickly in Talahassee, or it will be a long season in North Florida.
Nov 30, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly looks on against the Oklahoma Sooners during the fourth quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
2024 salary: $9,975,000
Brian Kelly leaving Notre Dame for LSU surprised many people. He was a staple in South Bend, but he said it went to LSU to win a title. With back-to-back 10-win season, Tigers’ fans were impressed, but so far they have not been able to get over the hump. After winning nine games last year, LSU fans want more from their program in 2025.
No. 10: Dan Lanning, Oregon Ducks
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning looks to the clock towards the end of the first half as the Oregon Ducks face the Ohio State Buckeyes Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in the quarterfinal of the College Football Playoff at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
2025 salary: $9.400,000
An ugly Rose Bowl loss to Ohio State did sway Oregon’s decision-makers’ belief in Dan Lanning. He earned a contract extension that will pay him an average of $11 million until 2031. Oregon won the Big Ten in their first year in the conference and should be a favorite again.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Deion Sanders contract: Where it fits among the highest-paid coaches
