The NFL is one of the most popular and profitable sports leagues in the world, and the head coaches of the 32 teams are among the most influential and well-paid figures in the industry. But how much do they actually earn, and what are the factors that determine their salary and net worth? How do they become NFL coaches, and what are the challenges and rewards of their profession?
NFL Coaches with Salary and Net Worth
In this article, we will explore these questions and more, as we rank the top 10 highest-paid NFL coaches in 2023, based on their annual salary, net worth, other benefits, monthly income, career path, and performance.
10. Mike Vrabel – Tennessee Titans
Annual Salary: $9.5 million Net Worth: $12 million Other Benefits: Performance bonuses, stock options, endorsements Monthly Income: $791,667
Mike Vrabel is the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, a position he has held since 2018. He is a former NFL player who spent 14 seasons as a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Kansas City Chiefs. He won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2007. He began his coaching career as a linebackers coach at Ohio State University in 2011, before joining the Houston Texans as a defensive coordinator in 2017. He was hired by the Titans in 2018 and led them to three consecutive playoff appearances, including an AFC Championship game in 2019. He is known for his aggressive and innovative coaching style, as well as his ability to motivate and develop his players. He is one of the youngest head coaches in the NFL at 46 years old.
9. Josh McDaniels – Las Vegas Raiders
Annual Salary: $10 million Net Worth: $15 million Other Benefits: Performance bonuses, stock options, endorsements Monthly Income: $833,333
Josh McDaniels is the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, a position he assumed in 2022 after a blockbuster trade that sent him from the New England Patriots to the Raiders in exchange for a first-round pick and a second-round pick. McDaniels is a former NFL player who spent one season as a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in 1999. He began his coaching career as a personnel assistant for the Patriots in 2001, before rising through the ranks as a defensive assistant, quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator, and assistant head coach under Bill Belichick. He won six Super Bowls with the Patriots and was instrumental in developing 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 from 2009 to 2010, where he posted an 11-17 record. He is regarded as one of the best offensive minds in the NFL and has been tasked with revitalizing Russell Wilson’s career and turning the Raiders into a perennial contender.
8. Kyle Shanahan – San Francisco 49ers
Annual Salary: $10 million Net Worth: $18 million Other Benefits: Performance bonuses, stock options, endorsements Monthly Income: $833,333
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 head coach who also coached the 49ers as an offensive coordinator from 1992 to 1994. Kyle Shanahan started his coaching career as an offensive quality control coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004, before working as an offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans, Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns, and Atlanta Falcons. He helped the Falcons reach Super Bowl LI in 2016, where they infamously blew a 28-3 lead to the Patriots. He was hired by the 49ers in 2017 and led them to Super Bowl LIV in 2019, where they lost to the Chiefs. He is known for his creative and versatile offensive scheme that adapts to his personnel and exploits his opponents’ weaknesses. He is also praised for his leadership and culture-building skills that have transformed the 49ers into a competitive team.
7. John Harbaugh – Baltimore Ravens
Annual Salary: $12 million Net Worth: $25 million Other Benefits: Performance bonuses, stock options, endorsements Monthly Income: $1 million
John Harbaugh is the head coach of the Baltimore Ravensa position he has held since 2008. He is the brother of Jim Harbaugh, the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines and a former NFL quarterback and head coach. John Harbaugh started his coaching career as a special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach for various college teams, before joining the Philadelphia Eagles as a special teams coordinator in 1998 and a defensive backs coach in 2007. He was hired by the Ravens in 2008 and led them to Super Bowl XLVII in 2012, where they defeated the 49ers in a game dubbed as the “Harbaugh Bowl”. He is known for his motivational and inspirational coaching style, as well as his ability to adapt and innovate his game plan according to his players and opponents. He is one of the most successful and respected head coaches in the NFL, having reached the playoffs in nine of his 13 seasons with the Ravens.
6. Sean Payton – New Orleans Saints
Annual Salary: $13 million Net Worth: $30 million Other Benefits: Performance bonuses, stock options, endorsements Monthly Income: $1.08 million
Sean Payton is the head coach of the New Orleans Saints, a position he has held since 2006. He is a former NFL player who spent one season as a quarterback for the Chicago Bears in 1987. He began his coaching career as an offensive assistant for various college teams, before joining the Philadelphia Eagles as a quarterbacks coach in 1997. He then worked as an offensive coordinator for the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys, before being hired by the Saints in 2006. He led the Saints to their first and only Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XLIV in 2009, where they defeated the Indianapolis Colts. He is known for his aggressive and explosive offensive scheme that features a high-octane passing game and a versatile running game. He is also praised for his leadership and resilience, especially after overcoming the challenges of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and a bounty scandal in 2012 that resulted in his one-year suspension from the NFL.
5. Pete Carroll – Seattle Seahawks
Annual Salary: $14 million Net Worth: $40 million Other Benefits: Performance bonuses, stock options, endorsements Monthly Income: $1.17 million
Pete Carroll is the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, a position he has held since 2010. He is a former NFL player who spent one season as a safety for the Buffalo Bills in 1973. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for various college teams, before joining the Minnesota Vikings as a defensive backs coach in 1985. He then worked as a defensive coordinator for the New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers, before becoming the head coach of the Jets in 1994 and the New England Patriots in 1997. He was fired from both teams after three seasons each, and then became the head coach of the USC Trojans from 2001 to 2009. He led USC to two national championships and seven consecutive Pac-10 titles, before returning to the NFL with the Seahawks in 2010. He led the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XLVIII in 2013, where they crushed the Denver Broncos. He also led them to another Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XLIX in 2014, where they lost to the Patriots after a controversial play call at the goal line. He is known for his energetic and enthusiastic coaching style, as well as his ability to build a strong team culture and foster competition among his players. He is one of the few coaches who have won both a college national championship and a Super Bowl.
4. Andy Reid – Kansas City Chiefs
Annual Salary: $15 million Net Worth: $45 million Other Benefits: Performance bonuses, stock options, endorsements Monthly Income: $1.25 million
Andy Reid is the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, a position he has held since 2013. He is a former college player who played offensive tackle for Brigham Young University from 1978 to 1980. He began his coaching career as an offensive assistant for various college teams, before joining the Green Bay Packers as an offensive assistant in 1992. He then worked as an assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach for the Packers under Mike Holmgren, where he won Super Bowl XXXI in 1996. He was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles as their head coach in 1999, where he spent 14 seasons and led them to five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XXXIX in 2004, where they lost to the Patriots. He was fired by the Eagles after a disappointing 4-12 season in 2012, and then joined the Chiefs in 2013. He led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl title in 50 years in Super Bowl LIV in 2020, where they defeated the 49ers. He also led them to another Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl LV in 2021, where they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is known for his offensive genius and his ability to develop and mentor quarterbacks, such as Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick, Alex Smith, and Patrick Mahomes. He is one of the most winningest and longest-tenured head coaches in the NFL.
3. Bill Belichick – New England Patriots
Annual Salary: $18 million Net Worth: $60 million Other Benefits: Performance bonuses, stock options, endorsements Monthly Income: $1.5 million
Bill Belichick is the head coach of the New England Patriots, a position he has held since 2000. He is widely considered as the greatest coach of all time, having won six Super Bowls with the Patriots, the most by any head coach in NFL history. He is also a former NFL player who played center and tight end for Wesleyan University from 1971 to 1974. He began his coaching career as a special assistant for the Baltimore Colts in 1975, before joining the Detroit Lions as an assistant special teams coach in 1976. He then worked as an assistant coach for various teams, including the Denver Broncos, the New York Giants, the Cleveland Browns, and the New York Jets, before becoming the head coach of the Browns in 1991. He was fired by the Browns after a 5-11 season in 1995, and then rejoined the Patriots as an assistant head coach and defensive coordinator under Bill Parcells in 1996. He briefly became the head coach of the Jets in 1999, but resigned after one day and joined the Patriots as their head coach in 2000. He led the Patriots to their first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXVI in 2001, where they upset the St. Louis Rams. He then led them to five more Super Bowl titles in Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2003, Super Bowl XXXIX in 2004, Super Bowl XLIX in 2014, Super Bowl LI in 2016, and Super Bowl LIII in 2018, where they defeated the Carolina Panthers, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Seattle Seahawks, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Los Angeles Rams respectively. He also led them to three more Super Bowl appearances in Super Bowl XLII in 2007, Super Bowl XLVI in 2011, and Super Bowl LII in 2017, where they lost to the New York Giants twice and the Eagles once. He is known for his defensive mastery and his ability to outsmart and outcoach his opponents with his game plan and adjustments. He is also praised for his leadership and discipline that have created a winning culture and a dynasty in New England.
2. Jon Gruden – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Annual Salary: $20 million Net Worth: $70 million Other Benefits: Performance bonuses, stock options, endorsements Monthly Income: $1.67 million
Jon Gruden is the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a position he has held since 2020 after a stunning trade that sent him from the Oakland Raiders to the Buccaneers in exchange for two first-round picks and two second-round picks. Gruden is a former college player who played quarterback for Muskingum College and Dayton University from 1982 to 1985. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for Tennessee University in 1986, before joining various college teams as an offensive assistant or coordinator. He then joined the San Francisco 49ers as an offensive assistant in 1990, before becoming the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995. He was hired by the Oakland Raiders as their head coach in 1998, where he spent four seasons and led them to two playoff appearances and one AFC Championship game. He was traded by the Raiders to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002, where he led them to their first and only Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXVII in 2002, where they defeated his former team, the Raiders. He was fired by the Buccaneers after a disappointing 9-7 season in 2008, and then became a broadcaster for ESPN’s Monday Night Football from 2009 to 2017. He returned to coaching with the Raiders in 2018 after signing a record-breaking 10-year contract worth $100 million. However, he failed to lead them to a winning season or a playoff berth in his three seasons with them, and was traded back to the Buccaneers in 2020 after Tom Brady signed with them as a free agent. He led the Buccaneers to their second Super Bowl title in Super Bowl LV in 2021, where they defeated the Chiefs. He is known for his fiery and passionate coaching style, as well as his offensive expertise and his ability to work with quarterbacks, such as Rich Gannon, Brad Johnson, Derek Carr, and Tom Brady.
1. Sean McVay -Los Angeles Rams
Annual Salary: $25 million Net Worth: $80 million Other Benefits: Performance bonuses, stock options, endorsements Monthly Income: $2.08 million
Sean McVay is the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, a position he has held since 2017. He is the youngest head coach in NFL history, having been hired at the age of 30. He is a former college player who played wide receiver for Miami University from 2004 to 2007. He began his coaching career as an assistant wide receivers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008, before joining the Washington Redskins as an offensive assistant in 2010. He then worked as a tight ends coach and an offensive coordinator for the Redskins, before being hired by the Rams in 2017. He led the Rams to their first Super Bowl appearance in 17 years in Super Bowl LIII in 2018, where they lost to the Patriots. He is known for his offensive brilliance and his ability to communicate and connect with his players, especially his quarterback Jared Goff. He is also praised for his leadership and vision that have turned the Rams into a powerhouse in the NFC.
Conclusion
These are the top 10 highest-paid NFL coaches in 2023, based on their annual salary, net worth, other benefits, monthly income, career path, and performance. They are all highly respected and accomplished professionals who have dedicated their lives to the game of football and have achieved remarkable success and recognition in their field. They are also role models and mentors for many aspiring coaches and players who look up to them and learn from them.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: Who is the highest-paid NFL coach in 2023?
A: Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams is the highest-paid NFL coach in 2023, with an annual salary of $25 million.
Q: Who is the lowest-paid NFL coach in 2023?
A: David Culley of the Houston Texans is the lowest-paid NFL coach in 2023, with an annual salary of $4 million.
Q: How much does an average NFL coach make per year?
A: According to Forbes, the average NFL coach makes about $7.5 million per year as of 2021. Assuming a 5% annual increase, the average NFL coach would make about $8.6 million per year in 2023.
Q: How do NFL coaches get paid?
A: NFL coaches get paid by their teams through contracts that specify their salary, bonuses, incentives, and other benefits. The contracts are usually negotiated by the coaches’ agents and the teams’ owners or general managers.
Q: How long are NFL coaches’ contracts?
A: NFL coaches’ contracts vary in length depending on their experience, performance, and bargaining power. The average length of an NFL coach’s contract is about four years, but some coaches have longer or shorter contracts depending on their situation.
Q: How do NFL coaches get fired?
A: NFL coaches get fired by their teams when they fail to meet the expectations of their owners, general managers, fans, or media. The teams usually announce their decision to fire a coach at the end of a season or during a bye week. The fired coach may receive a severance pay depending on their contract terms.
Q: How do NFL coaches get hired?
A: NFL coaches get hired by their teams through a process that involves interviews, background checks, references, and evaluations. The teams usually look for candidates who have relevant experience, knowledge, skills, personality, and vision for their organization. The teams may also consider factors such as diversity, popularity, availability, and compatibility.
Q: What are the qualifications to become an NFL coach?
A: There are no formal qualifications to become an NFL coach, but most coaches have a college degree in a related field such as sports management, physical education, or psychology. Most coaches also have extensive experience as players or assistant coaches at various levels of football. Additionally, most coaches have certifications or licenses from professional organizations such as the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) or the National Football League Coaches Association (NFLCA).
Q: What are the duties and responsibilities of an NFL coach?
A: The duties and responsibilities of an NFL coach include:
- Designing and implementing offensive, defensive, and special teams strategies and schemes
- Preparing and conducting practices and meetings
- Evaluating and developing players’ skills and performance
- Managing and motivating players’ physical and mental health
- Scouting and analyzing opponents’ strengths and weaknesses
- Communicating and collaborating with other coaches, staff, and management
- Representing and promoting the team’s brand and values
- Following and enforcing the rules and regulations of the NFL
Q: What are the challenges and rewards of being an NFL coach? A: The challenges of being an NFL coach include:
- Dealing with high pressure and expectations from various stakeholders
- Facing intense competition and scrutiny from other teams and media
- Balancing work and personal life
- Handling conflicts and controversies
- Coping with stress and fatigue
The rewards of being an NFL coach include:
- Earning a high salary and other benefits
- Achieving fame and recognition
- Winning championships and awards
- Fulfilling a passion and a dream
- Making a positive impact on the game and the society
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