Sportico’s ranking of the highest-paid coaches in sports is based on conversations with teams, agents and executive recruiters, as well as published reports and open records requests for coaches at public universities. The ranking by estimated AAV includes the value of recent extensions but excludes potential incentives. The breakdown by sport and league: 21 coaches in college football, 13 in the NFL, 13 in the NBA, two in college basketball and one in MLB.

Coaches were all active as of Nov. 20, 2024. We did not factor in the eight or so global soccer managers earning at least $10 million per year, led by Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) and Diego Simeone (Atletico Madrid).

Andy Reid is the new No. 1, replacing Bill Belichick, who topped Sportico’s list during each of its first three iterations. In April, the Kansas City Chiefs rewarded Big Red with a five-year, $100 million contract following back-to-back Super Bowl titles and three in five years. Reid is the only NFL coach to win 100 games with two franchises: Kansas City and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Sean Payton returned to the sidelines with the Denver Broncos in 2023 and signed a five-year contract that ranks second based on AAV. His contract with the New Orleans Saints where he won the 2009 Super Bowl was worth $14 million a year before he walked away from coaching after the 2021 season.

Steve Kerr nearly doubled his salary with his two-year contract extension signed in February 2024. In 2014, the Golden State Warriors hired Kerr, and he made six NBA Finals during his first eight seasons, winning four titles in the process.

Gregg Popovich got a raise in 2023 when he signed a five-year deal worth an estimated $17 million annually. He is the longest tenured coach in the NBA by more than 11 years. Popovich recently stepped away from the team after a mild stroke.

Mike Tomlin and Jim Harbaugh are tied for fifth at $16 million after both received big raises this year. The Pittsburgh Steelers extended their longtime coach for three years through the 2027 season. Harbaugh ranked 31st last year under his Michigan contract worth $8.34 million annually before incentives. After his first national championship, the Los Angeles Chargers lured him back to the NFL sideline with a five-year, $80 million deal.