SEC football is essential, and the 16 coaches in charge of the conference’s programs spent a majority of their time trying to win in the deepest, most talented conference in college football.
Their time and effort are richly rewarded with some of the highest salaries in the sport, led by Georgia’s Kirby Smart, who leads all of college football coaches with a salary that pays him more than $13 million annually.
On Wednesday, USA TODAY Sports released its annual list of coach salaries. Here is where everyone, from Smart to Hugh Freeze to Clark Lea, ranks.
1. Kirby Smart (Georgia)
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart reacts in the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Total Salary: $13,282,580
National Rank: 1st
Overall Record (at school): 109-20
2. Steve Sarkisian (Texas)
Total Salary: $10,800,000
National Rank: 5th
Overall Record: 41-19
3. Kalen DeBoer (Alabama)
Total Salary: $10,250,000
National Rank: 7th
Overall Record: 13-25
4. Brian Kelly (LSU)
Sep 6, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly looks on against Louisiana Tech Bulldogs during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Total Salary: $10,175,000
National Rank: 8th
Overall Record: 33-12
5. Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss)
Total Salary: $9,000,000
National Rank: 10th
Overall Record: 49-18
6. Eli Drinkwitz (Missouri)
Total Salary: $9,000,000
National Rank: 11th
Overall Record: 43-24
7. Josh Heupel (Tennessee)
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel during a NCAA football game between Tennessee and UAB at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., September 20, 2025. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Total Salary: $9,000,000
National Rank: 12th
Overall Record: 41-16
8. Mark Stoops (Kentucky)
Total Salary: $9,000,000
National Rank: 13th
Overall Record: 69-76
9. Shane Beamer (South Carolina)
Total Salary: $8,150,000
National Rank: 20th
Overall Record: 32-24
10. Brent Venables (Oklahoma)
Total Salary: $7,552,750
National Rank: 23rd
Overall Record: 27-17
11. Billy Napier (Florida)
Oct 4, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier gestures before a game against the Texas Longhorns at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Total Salary: $7,470,000
National Rank: 24th
Overall Record: 21-22
12. Mike Elko (Texas A&M)
Total Salary: $7,000,000
National Rank: 32nd
Overall Record: 13-25
13. Sam Pittman (Arkansas)
Total Salary: $6,814,600
National Rank: 35th
Overall Record: 32-34 (Fired after Week 5)
14. Hugh Freeze (Auburn)
Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze walks off the field after the game as Auburn Tigers take on Ball State Cardinals at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Auburn Tigers defeated Ball State Cardinals 42-3. | Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
National Rank: 36th
Overall Record: 14-16
15. Jeff Lebby (Mississippi State)
Total Salary: $4,350,000
National Rank: 55th
Overall Record: 6-12
16. Clark Lea (Vanderbilt)
Total Salary: $3,711,137
National Rank: 57th
Overall Record: 21-34