Texas A&M football coach Mike Elko paid more than most in NCAA. See where he ranks

After signing a contract this offseason to become the new head coach of the Texas A&M football program, Mike Elko is among the higher-paid coaches in the college game.

Elko's deal to coach the Aggies in 2024 is $7 million. That ranks 23rd among the 119 contracts for FBS coaches compiled by USA TODAY in its annual database, updated on Wednesday.

He is the 11th highest-paid coach in the SEC, which, predictably, pays its coaches more than any conference in college football. Vanderbilt's Clark Lea is the lowest-paid coach in the conference, with only he and Mississippi State's Jeff Lebby earning less than $6 million in total pay.

Kirby Smart topped all coaches in the conference and country at over $13 million.

Here's a look at the total pay for each SEC coach in 2024:

1. Kirby Smart, Georgia - $13,282,580
2. Steve Sarkisian, Texas - $10,600,000
3. Kaelen DeBoer, Alabama - $10,000,000
4. Brian Kelly, LSU - $9,975,000
5. Mark Stoops, Kentucky - $9,013,600
6. Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss - $9,000,000
7. Eliah Drinkwitz, Missouri - $9,000,000
8. Josh Heupel, Tennessee - $9,000,000
9. Brent Venables, Oklahoma - $8,152,000
10. Billy Napier, Florida - $7,370,000
11. Mike Elko, Texas A&M - $7,000,000
12. Hugh Freeze, Auburn - $6,728,100
13. Sam Pittman, Arkansas - $6,498,000
14. Shane Beamer, South Carolina - $6,401,996
15. Jeff Lebby, Mississippi State - $4,250,000
16. Clark Lea, Vanderbilt - $3,189,744

The contract buyout for Elko is listed at $27,124,985 as of Dec. 1, 2024.

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas A&M football coach Mike Elko paid more than most in NCAA. See where he ranks