High Salaries, Low Returns: Elite Paychecks Meet On-Field Struggles
From USC to Texas A&M, several of college football's highest-paid coaches are facing mounting pressure as offensive failures and losing streaks mount.
As college football enters October, several high-earning coaches are struggling to justify their premium salaries with on-field results, as CBS Sports first reported.
At USC, Lincoln Riley earns a 2026 salary of $11.5 million but has recorded 15 losses in 20 games against ranked opponents. Despite offseason staff changes, the Trojans recently suffered a 41-27 loss to Oregon.
Texas A&M's Mike Elko, slated for $10.75 million in 2026, is facing scrutiny after a 29-point loss to LSU and a home defeat to Kentucky. CBS Sports notes that Elko opted to keep Marcel Reed at quarterback and promoted assistant Holmon Wiggins to the offensive staff rather than hiring externally.
Brent Venables of Oklahoma, earning $10.5 million for 2026, is dealing with a regressing offense following a humiliating performance against Georgia and a loss to Michigan. Meanwhile, Colorado's Deion Sanders, with a $10 million salary, is struggling to score with Julian Lewis at quarterback following a 3-9 collapse last season.
Other coaches facing heat include South Carolina's Shane Beamer, who earns $8.2 million and is currently on an eight-game losing streak against Power Four opponents. At Maryland, Mike Locksley earns $6.4 million despite the program appearing to worsen even after NIL efforts were used to retain quarterback Malik Washington and other key players.