Top 10 Highest Paid NFL Coaches of All Time

NFL coaches are some of the most influential and respected figures in the world of sports. They are responsible for leading their teams to victory, developing their players’ skills, and creating game plans that can outsmart their opponents. But how much do they get paid for their hard work and dedication?

In this article, we will rank the top 10 highest paid NFL coaches of all time, based on their annual salaries as of 2023. We will also provide some background information on each coach, such as their achievements, awards, and controversies. Let’s get started!

Top 10 Highest Paid NFL Coaches of All Time

10. Mike Vrabel ($9.5 million)

Mike Vrabel is the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, a position he has held since 2018. He is a former linebacker who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New England Patriots, and the Kansas City Chiefs. He won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2007.

As a coach, Vrabel has led the Titans to three playoff appearances in five seasons, including an AFC Championship game in 2019. He is known for his aggressive and creative play-calling, as well as his ability to motivate his players. He is also one of the youngest head coaches in the league, at 47 years old.

9. Josh McDaniels ($10 million)

Josh McDaniels is the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, a position he assumed in 2023 after leaving the New England Patriots. He is a former quarterback who played for the Michigan State Spartans in college. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan State, before joining the Patriots as a personnel assistant in 2001.

McDaniels rose through the ranks of the Patriots’ coaching staff, becoming the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2006. He helped the Patriots win six Super Bowls and develop Tom Brady into one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. He also had a brief stint as the head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2009-2010, but was fired after a 3-9 start in his second season.

McDaniels is regarded as one of the best offensive minds in the NFL, with a knack for designing innovative and effective schemes. He is also praised for his leadership and communication skills, as well as his adaptability to different situations. He is expected to turn the Raiders into a contender in the AFC West, with the help of Derek Carr and Darren Waller.

8. Kyle Shanahan ($10 million)

Kyle Shanahan is the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, a position he has held since 2017. He is the son of Mike Shanahan, a two-time Super Bowl-winning coach with the Denver Broncos. He followed his father’s footsteps and became a coach, starting as a graduate assistant at UCLA in 2003.

Shanahan worked as an offensive coordinator for several teams, including the Houston Texans, the Washington Redskins, the Cleveland Browns, and the Atlanta Falcons. He helped the Falcons reach the Super Bowl in 2016, where they infamously blew a 28-3 lead to the Patriots. He was hired by the 49ers the following year, and led them to the Super Bowl in 2019, where they lost to the Chiefs.

Shanahan is considered one of the most creative and innovative coaches in the NFL, with a mastery of the zone running scheme and the play-action pass. He is also respected for his culture-building and player development, as well as his willingness to take risks and challenge the status quo. He is aiming to bring the 49ers back to glory, with the help of Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance.

7. John Harbaugh ($12 million)

John Harbaugh is the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, a position he has held since 2008. He is the brother of Jim Harbaugh, the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines. He played defensive back for the Miami RedHawks in college, and began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Western Michigan in 1984.

Harbaugh worked as a special teams and defensive backs coach for several teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, where he spent 10 years. He was hired by the Ravens in 2008, and led them to the Super Bowl in 2012, where they defeated the 49ers. He is the longest-tenured head coach in the AFC, and has never had a losing season.

Harbaugh is admired for his consistency and stability, as well as his ability to adapt and evolve. He has successfully transitioned from the Joe Flacco era to the Lamar Jackson era, and has embraced a run-heavy and aggressive style of play. He is also praised for his motivational and inspirational leadership, as well as his integrity and character. He is striving to win his second Super Bowl with the Ravens, with the support of a talented and resilient roster.

6. Andy Reid ($12 million)

Andy Reid is the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, a position he has held since 2013. He is a former offensive lineman who played for the BYU Cougars in college. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at BYU in 1982, before joining the Green Bay Packers as an offensive assistant in 1992.

Reid became the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999, and led them to five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl appearance in 14 seasons. He was fired after a 4-12 season in 2012, and was hired by the Chiefs the next year. He led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl title in 50 years in 2019, and reached the Super Bowl again in 2020, where they lost to the Buccaneers.

Reid is regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all time, with a record of 238-146-1 in the regular season and 18-16 in the playoffs. He is known for his offensive genius and his ability to develop quarterbacks, such as Donovan McNabb, Alex Smith, and Patrick Mahomes. He is also respected for his humility and generosity, as well as his passion and enthusiasm. He is hoping to win his second Super Bowl with the Chiefs, with the help of a dominant and explosive offense.

5. Mike Tomlin ($12.5 million)

Mike Tomlin is the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, a position he has held since 2007. He is a former wide receiver who played for the William & Mary Tribe in college. He began his coaching career as a wide receivers coach at Virginia Military Institute in 1995, before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a defensive backs coach in 2001.

Tomlin became the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings in 2006, and was hired by the Steelers as their head coach the next year. He led the Steelers to the Super Bowl in 2008, where they defeated the Cardinals. He reached the Super Bowl again in 2010, where they lost to the Packers. He is the youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl, at 36 years old.

Tomlin is admired for his consistency and excellence, as well as his ability to overcome adversity and challenges. He has never had a losing season in 15 years, and has made the playoffs nine times. He is known for his defensive acumen and his motivational skills, as well as his accountability and honesty. He is aiming to win his second Super Bowl with the Steelers, with the help of Ben Roethlisberger and T.J. Watt.

4. Sean McVay ($15 million)

Sean McVay is the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, a position he has held since 2017. He is the grandson of John McVay, a former NFL executive and coach. He played wide receiver for the Miami RedHawks in college, and began his coaching career as an assistant wide receivers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008.

McVay worked as an offensive assistant and coordinator for the Washington Redskins from 2010 to 2016, where he helped Kirk Cousins become a Pro Bowl quarterback. He was hired by the Rams in 2017, and became the youngest head coach in NFL history, at 30 years old. He led the Rams to the Super Bowl in 2018, where they lost to the Patriots.

McVay is considered one of the most brilliant and innovative coaches in the NFL, with a mastery of the modern offense and the use of analytics. He is also praised for his energy and charisma, as well as his ability to connect and communicate with his players. He is expected to lead the Rams to their first Super Bowl title since 1999, with the help of Matthew Stafford and Aaron Donald.

3. Pete Carroll ($15 million)

Pete Carroll is the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, a position he has held since 2010. He is a former defensive back who played for the Pacific Tigers in college. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Pacific in 1973, before joining the Buffalo Bills as a defensive backs coach in 1984.

Carroll worked as a defensive coordinator and head coach for several teams, including the New York Jets, the New England Patriots, and the USC Trojans. He won two national championships with USC in 2003 and 2004, but left the program amid a scandal involving improper benefits to players. He was hired by the Seahawks in 2010, and led them to the Super Bowl in 2013, where they defeated the Broncos. He reached the Super Bowl again

in 2014, where they lost to the Patriots in a controversial decision to pass instead of run at the goal line.

Carroll is regarded as one of the most successful and experienced coaches in the NFL, with a record of 153-109-1 in the regular season and 12-11 in the playoffs. He is known for his defensive expertise and his philosophy of “always compete”. He is also respected for his positivity and optimism, as well as his ability to relate and empower his players. He is hoping to win his second Super Bowl with the Seahawks, with the help of Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner.

2. Bill Belichick ($18 million)

Bill Belichick is the head coach of the New England Patriots, a position he has held since 2000. He is widely considered the greatest coach of all time, and one of the most influential figures in the history of sports. He played center and tight end for the Wesleyan Cardinals in college, and began his coaching career as a special assistant for the Baltimore Colts in 1975.

Belichick worked as a defensive coordinator and head coach for several teams, including the New York Giants, the Cleveland Browns, and the New York Jets. He joined the Patriots in 2000, and formed a legendary partnership with Tom Brady, the quarterback he drafted in the sixth round. He led the Patriots to six Super Bowl titles and nine Super Bowl appearances in 21 seasons, setting numerous records and milestones along the way.

Belichick is revered for his genius and mastery of the game, as well as his ability to adapt and evolve. He is known for his defensive schemes and his situational awareness, as well as his preparation and attention to detail. He is also notorious for his secrecy and stoicism, as well as his involvement in several scandals, such as Spygate and Deflategate. He is aiming to win his seventh Super Bowl with the Patriots, with the help of Mac Jones and Matthew Judon.

1. Jon Gruden ($20 million)

Jon Gruden is the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a position he returned to in 2023 after leaving the Las Vegas Raiders. He is a former quarterback who played for the Dayton Flyers in college. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Tennessee in 1986, before joining the Green Bay Packers as an offensive assistant in 1992.

Gruden became the head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 1998, and led them to two playoff appearances in four seasons. He was traded to the Buccaneers in 2002, and led them to the Super Bowl in his first season, where they defeated the Raiders. He coached the Buccaneers until 2008, and then became a broadcaster for ESPN’s Monday Night Football. He returned to the Raiders in 2018, and signed a 10-year, $100 million contract, making him the highest paid coach in NFL history. He coached the Raiders until 2022, when he resigned amid a controversy involving his offensive emails. He was rehired by the Buccaneers in 2023, and reunited with Tom Brady, who joined the team in 2020.

Gruden is regarded as one of the most charismatic and entertaining coaches in the NFL, with a passion and intensity for the game. He is known for his offensive prowess and his quarterback development, as well as his catchphrases and expressions. He is also criticized for his impatience and inconsistency, as well as his questionable personnel decisions and trades. He is hoping to win his second Super Bowl with the Buccaneers, with the help of a star-studded and veteran-laden roster.

Conclusion

NFL coaches are some of the most powerful and influential people in the world of sports. They are responsible for leading their teams to success, developing their players’ talents, and creating game plans that can outsmart their opponents. They are also rewarded handsomely for their efforts, with salaries that can reach tens of millions of dollars per year.

In this article, we ranked the top 10 highest paid NFL coaches of all time, based on their annual salaries as of 2023. We also provided some background information on each coach, such as their achievements, awards, and controversies. We hope you enjoyed reading this article, and learned something new and interesting about these coaches.

10 Most Asked Questions and Answers

Here are some of the most asked questions and answers about the topic of this article:

– Q: Who is the lowest paid NFL coach?

– A: The lowest paid NFL coach is David Culley, the head coach of the Houston Texans, who earns $4 million per year.

– Q: Who is the highest paid NFL player?

– A: The highest paid NFL player is Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, who signed a 10-year, $503 million contract extension in 2020.

– Q: How much does an NFL assistant coach make?

– A: An NFL assistant coach makes an average of $400,000 per year, according to a 2019 report by Sporting News.

– Q: How many NFL coaches are former players?

– A: According to a 2020 report by ESPN, 17 out of 32 NFL head coaches are former players, either in college or in the NFL.

– Q: How many NFL coaches are minorities?

– A: According to a 2021 report by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, 10 out of 32 NFL head coaches are minorities, including five African Americans, three Latinos, one Asian American, and one Arab American.

– Q: How long is the average tenure of an NFL coach?

– A: The average tenure of an NFL coach is 4.3 years, according to a 2020 analysis by FiveThirtyEight.

– Q: How many NFL coaches have won multiple Super Bowls?

– A: Eight NFL coaches have won multiple Super Bowls, including Bill Belichick (6), Chuck Noll (4), Joe Gibbs (3), Bill Walsh (3), Vince Lombardi (2), Tom Coughlin (2), Jimmy Johnson (2), and Mike Shanahan (2).

– Q: How many NFL coaches are related to each other?

– A: Several NFL coaches are related to each other, either by blood or by marriage. Some examples are John and Jim Harbaugh (brothers), Kyle and Mike Shanahan (son and father), Sean and John McVay (son and grandfather), and Andy and Britt Reid (father and son).

– Q: How many NFL coaches are in the Hall of Fame?

– A: 25 NFL coaches are in the Hall of Fame, including Bill Belichick, Vince Lombardi, Bill Walsh, Don Shula, Chuck Noll, Tom Landry, and Joe Gibbs.

– Q: How many NFL coaches have coached in both college and the NFL?

– A: Many NFL coaches have coached in both college and the NFL, either as head coaches or assistants. Some examples are Pete Carroll, Nick Saban, Jim Harbaugh, Urban Meyer, and Chip Kelly.