Bob Stoops Fourth Highest Paid Coach in College Football

Oklahoma may not rank in the top ten in college football this season, but head coach Bob Stoops cracks the top five again in 2016 in coaches salary.

The USA Today annual survey of college football coaches salaries was released on Wednesday, and a new name is at the top of the list. Jim Harbaugh, in his second full season at Michigan, is reported to be making $9 million this year.

Harbaugh overtakes Alabama’s Nick Saban, who is at $6.9 million annually, according to financial information obtained by USA Today.

Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops ($5.6 million) is fourth on the list for 2016, behind Urban Meyer of Ohio State ($6 million) and ahead of Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher ($5.3 million).

Not surprisingly, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) had the highest median coach salary ($4.2 million). The Big 12 coaches were second in that category, with a reported annual median salary figure of $3.5 million.

Three Big 12 coaches besides Stoops rank in the top 20 in this year’s survey of college football coaches salaries. Charlie Strong of Texas comes in sixth, making a reported $5.2 this year. Gary Patterson of TCU is 20th on the list at $4 million and Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State is 22nd, making $3.8 million.

Four coaches from the SEC (Alabama, Texas A&M, Auburn and Mississippi) rank in the top 10 in coaches’ salary for 2016, three from the Big Ten (Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State), two from the Big 12 (Oklahoma and Texas) and one from the Atlantic Coast Conference (Florida State).

Remainder of the Big 12 Coaches Salaries*

30. Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech – $3.3 million

33. Bill Snyder, Kansas State – $3.1 million

37. Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia – $2.9 million

84. David Beaty, Kansas – $801,000

*Salary information was not provided for Jim Grobe of Baylor. Grobe took over for Art Briles, who was fired prior to the 2016 seasons.