As the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era has started to take over college sports — it feels like the salaries of prominent coaches have begun to climb in proportion to their top players’ compensation.

In a tremendous difference of less than two months, Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day is suddenly looked at as one of the best in the entire sport after there was real noise surrounding his job status in the wake of a fourth-consecutive loss to Michigan.

Such is the nature of college football, and now, Day is one of just three active national championship-winning coaches.

As is often the case, Day received a major raise in order to be compensated as one of the best, signing an extension through 2031 which will pay him $12.5 million per year:

BREAKING: Ryan Day and Ohio State have agreed to a new contract through the 2031 season?

Day is set to make $12.5M annually?https://t.co/iO2oGWA1Nf pic.twitter.com/YNhGXBuHgP

— On3 (@On3sports) February 6, 2025

Day’s new deal put him past Dabo Swinney, who is now the third highest paid coach with an $11.1 million annual salary.

But still the king of both the sport and the dollar signs — at least now that Nick Saban is no longer around — is Georgia head coach Kirby Smart.

Smart’s $13.2 million places him squarely at the top of the pack, and before Day’s new deal nobody even made within $2 million of his salary.

For reference as to what Day’s new $12.5 million salary means, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer makes $10 million as does Florida State head coach Mike Norvell, meanwhile LSU head coach Brian Kelly Makes $9.9 million and Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin makes just $9 million.

The Buckeyes firmly believe they have one of the best in the nation, and now they have compensated him like it.