by JM Van Horn

Created on: June 27, 2010

There is no denying it; college football means big business for the universities and big money for college football coaches. Based off a recent report from USA today, here are the five highest paid college football coaches and why they earned it.

Bob Stoops – Oklahoma
While Stoops has been the Sooners’ head coach, the program has returned to national prominence and has become a BCS contender just about every year.

Over Stoops’ tenure, the Sooners have won at least nine games in eight of the eleven seasons along with earning a national championship during his second season.

As a result of this performance, Stoops is slated to earn $4.3 million during the upcoming season.

If Stoops is going to remain at the top of the back he needs to buck the trend of losing the last five BCS bowl appearances.

Urban Meyer – Florida
The one thing Meyer has done over the course of his coaching career is show that he can develop a winner. Meyer turned quarterback Tim Tebow into a once in a lifetime college quarterback and put Florida back on the map as a BCS powerhouse.

During the upcoming 2010 season, Meyer is slated to earn $4 million as he prepares to show the rest of the nation how he can reshape the face of Florida football.

Meyer had the chance to become the highest paid college football coach with the opening t Notre Dame. For now, the SEC will still need to contend with one of the top coaches of his generation.

Nick Saban – Alabama
Whether you like Saban as a person or not, the one thing we can all agree on is that he is one of the best college football coaches in the nation. His leadership helped create a quick turnaround at Alabama and helped them end the national championship drought last season.

As Saban continues to focus on winning a third national championship in his career, he will earn $3.9 million during the upcoming season.

While the rumor mills continue to build about Saban wanting to return to the NFL, if he continues to find success with the Tide, in a couple of years Saban could find himself at the top of this list.

Les Miles - LSU
When Miles came to LSU, he had to follow in the footsteps of Saban, who decided it was time to give the NFL a chance.  He helped the LSU faithful forget Saban by helping the Tigers earn a national championship in 2007.

Thanks to this and the nation’s love with the SEC, Miles was signed to a healthy contract that will earn him $3.75 million during the upcoming college football season.

Despite this success and two solid seasons since, there are some who think Miles may be on his way out if LSU does not play in a BCS bowl game this year. If this is the case, you can expect Michigan to come calling and they will keep Miles on the list of highest paid college football coaches.

Jim Tressel – Ohio State
In the state, Ohio State fans feel Tressel can do no wrong since he has brought the school numerous Big Ten title and several BCS bowl appearances. Outside of the state of Ohio, the biggest knock has been his inability to win a BCS game against top caliber teams.

The average college football fan tends to overlook his 2003 national championship or the complete domination against Big Ten opponents like their rival Michigan.

During the upcoming season, Tressel is slated to receive $3.72 million dollars as he attempts to lead the Buckeyes back to the BCS championship game.

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