NCAA basketball: Top 25 highest-paid college basketball coaches for 2020

7. Tom Izzo, Michigan State

Salary: $4,191,070 | Buyout: $7,139,200

Without looking at the numbers, I would’ve guessed that Tom Izzo was actually much higher on this list than he is. With the success that he’s enjoyed throughout his career at Michigan State over a long period of time, it would’ve certainly have been earned by the Spartans head coach. Even still, making more than $4 million per year means Izzo is handsomely compensated for his accomplishments in East Lansing, which are undoubtedly numerous.

Unlike many others on this list who either had to work their way through a lot of the coaching ranks, Izzo hasn’t had a well-traveled career on the sidelines. His first gig in college was as an assistant at Northern Michigan, which lasted only four seasons before he became an assistant at Michigan State. Staying there for 12 years, he was given the head coaching job prior to the 1995-96 season. And it’s safe to say that the Spartans program has not regretted that decision for a minute given what Izzo has done.

Though he does only have one National Championship to his credit at Michigan State (2000), that’s not wholly indicative of his success. Not only is he 628-241 overall with the Spartans but he’s led the team to an incredible eight Final Four appearances throughout his career while also winning the Big Ten regular-season crown 10 times and the Big Ten tourney six times.

It feels safe to say that as long as the 65-year-old wants to remain in East Lansing, Izzo will have a spot on the sidelines at Michigan State and will keep raking in the big bucks.