When Nick Saban retired in January, the title of best coach in college football was briefly vacant for the first time in more than a decade. Saban's shadow has hung over the sport for years, but it was time for new blood to emerge.

That contract started with $10.25 million in base salary and included annual raises taking the total compensation to $12.25 million in 2031.“I continue to be grateful and humbled by our administration’s commitment to our football program,

Kirby Smart is now college football's highest-paid head coach after agreeing to a new 10-year, $130 million deal that runs through 2033, per ESPN's Chris