List O’ Top 10 Highest-Paid Coaches In The NFL

Everyone seems to be making hand over fist in the NFL, and no one can figure out how to split it up, hence the lockout. Word is, the salaries of the coaches have been slashed in cost-cutting measures by the owners, which adds another layer to the lockout. But when they are actually getting their whole salary, here are the top 10 salaries for coaches in the NFL.

10. Lovie Smith, Chicago ($4.8 million)

Lovie Smith was hired by the Bears in 2004, taking over for beleaguered Dick Jauron. Smith was the lowest paid Head Coach in the NFL in 2006, earning just (just?!) 1.35 million. After some drama with contract negotiations and stalemates, the Bears signed Lovie Smith to a new four year multi-million dollar deal.

9. Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville ($5 million)

He retired from playing in 1996 and went into coaching, serving in several positions for three different teams before being selected as the Jaguars’ head coach in 2003. Del Rio, 66-65 with the Jaguars, is the first coach since the NFL merger in 1970 to lead the same team for eight years without capturing a division title. Yet he still manages to take home a $5 million dollar paycheck. Hey- nice job if you can get it.

8. Tom Coughlin, New York Giants ($5.25 million)

Tom Coughlin is the oldest coach in the NFL at 64, and he’s as strict a disciplinarian as there is in the game, but don’t let that make you think he’s got no fire. Coughlin led the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII, and was the first head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, serving from 1995–2002 and leading the team to two AFC Championship Games. Tom definitely earns his money, though not every New Yorker may agree with that.

7. Mike McCarthy, Green Bay ($5.5 million)

Upon becoming Head Coach of the Green Bay Packers in 2006, Mike McCarthy was known in NFL circles for his innovative offensive mind and his ability to develop young quarterbacks. McCarthy’s four Packers teams all have ranked in the NFL’s top 10 in total yardage – coming in at ninth in 2006, second in ’07, eighth in ’08 and sixth in ’09 – one of only two teams along with New Orleans to finish in the top 10 each of the last four years.

6. Andy Reid, Philadelphia ($5.5 million)

During his tenure, Reid has compiled the best win total (107), winning percentage (.618) and playoff victory total (10) in team history. He has captured six division titles and five trips to the NFC Championship game. Since he was hired in 1999, no other franchise has earned more divisional playoff round appearances and only Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots have matched Philadelphia in conference championship game appearances. Since 1999, Reid has also sent 19 players to 44 Pro Bowl appearances, the highest total for any team in the NFL during that period. None of these players had ever appeared in a Pro Bowl before Reid was hired. Reid got a nice extension last year that will keep him in Philly through 2013.

5. Jeff Fisher, Tennessee | Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh ($5.75 million)

Tomlin became the sixteenth Steelers head coach on January 22, 2007. Tomlin is the tenth African-American head coach in NFL history and the first in Steelers franchise history. When the Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens in the 2008 AFC Championship Game, Mike Tomlin became the youngest NFL Head Coach to lead his team to a Super Bowl. He also became the third African-American to coach a team into the Super Bowl, joining Chicago’s Lovie Smith and Indianapolis’ Tony Dungy.

4. Ken Whisenhunt, Arizona ($5.75 million)

A hot assistant at Pittsburgh recruited by the Cardinals in 2007, Whisenhunt took Arizona to a Super Bowl in his second season. After following with a division title in 2009, he was rewarded with a raise and extension before this season. But the Cards slumped to 5-11.

3. Pete Carroll, Seattle ($6.7 million)

Obviously, those who make NFL football picks may look at this salary and wonder how Carroll got this sort of salary, but he was pretty successful at USC if you didn’t notice. Even if his BCS title win was vacated due to recruiting violations, it doesn’t take away from the fact that Carroll knows how to coach a football team. Then, the Seahawks upset New Orleans in last year’s wild-card round, so he validated it. Now, on to Year 2.

2. Mike Shanahan, Washington ($7 million)

It is a bit of a head-scratcher when you see what Shanahan has done in Washington; the Albert Haynesworth situation, although that may have been warranted, because Haynesworth has been worthless since signing a $100 million contract. But his handling of the Donovan McNabb situation has been awful, and now it looks like Washington is hoping to get Andrew Luck next year. Good luck, Washington fans.

1. Bill Belichick, New England ($7.5 million)

Well deserved. In fact, it may not even be enough and the Patriots should make sure that Belichick is the highest-paid coach in the league for as long as he’s in charge in New England. There is no one better at adapting to a situation, but Belichick is also stubborn and if you’re not going to buy into the team concept, you’re gone, and Randy Moss will tell you, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.