Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel is one of the highest paid coaches in college football, even if he is about in the median in the SEC.
Heupel and the Vols are in the CFP for the first time, facing Ohio State in a College Football Playoff first round game on Saturday.
The fourth-year coach signed a new deal with Tennessee in 2023, earning a raise and extending his contract with UT through the end of the 2028 season.
How much does Heupel make, and what kind of bonuses can he earn via the Vols advancing in the CFP? Knox News answers below:
VOLS VS. BUCKEYES:What is Tennessee’s record against Ohio State? What to know about past matchups ahead of CFP
How much does Josh Heupel make?
Heupel is making $9 million this season, which is tied for 10th in college football nationally. Heupel signed a contract extension in 2023, extending his deal to the end of the 2028 season.
Josh Heupel contract details: Bonuses up for grabs in CFP
Heupel can make up to $1 million in bonuses depending on the Vols’ CFP performance. Heupel will earn:
- $250,000 if the Vols reach the CFP quarterfinal, which would include a win over Ohio State.
- $300,000 if the Vols reach the CFP semifinal.
- $400,000 if the Vols win the national championship.
Heupel has already earned $200,000 in bonuses for the Vols making the College Football Playoff.
How much is Josh Heupel’s buyout?
Tennessee would owe Heupel $37.5 million via a buyout, per USA TODAY’s coaching salary database.
Highest paid college football coaches
| Coach | Total pay |
| Georgia’s Kirby Smart | $13.28 million |
| Clemson’s Dabo Swinney | $11.13 million |
| Texas’ Steve Sarkisian | $10.6 million |
| Southern California’s Lincoln Riley | $10.04 million |
| Ohio State’s Ryan Day | $10.02 million |
| Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer | $10 million |
| Florida State’s Mike Norvell | $10 million |
| LSU’s Brian Kelly | $9.98 million |
| Kentucky’s Mark Stoops | $9.01 million |
| Mississippi’s Lane Kiffin | $9 million |
| Missouri’s Eliah Drinkwitz | $9 million |
| Tennessee’s Josh Heupel | $9 million |
| Penn State’s James Franklin | $8.5 million |
| Oregon’s Dan Lanning | $8.2 million |
| Oklahoma’s Brent Venables | $8.15 million |
