For aspiring coaches and football enthusiasts, the career trajectory of someone like Brian Hartline—from NFL wide receiver to one of the most respected offensive coordinators in college football—is a blueprint for success. A key part of that success is the significant financial compensation that comes with operating at the highest level of collegiate athletics. While an average coach's salary can be modest, elite coaches at powerhouse programs command multi-million dollar contracts.
According to a 2023 report from The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio State Offensive Coordinator Brian Hartline’s compensation was set to be $1.6 million for the 2023 season, a figure that showcases the immense earning potential in this field. This article will break down the salary landscape for college football coaches, the key factors that dictate their earnings, and the career outlook for this demanding but rewarding profession.
What Does a Top College Coach Like Brian Hartline Do?
While the title may be "Offensive Coordinator" or "Wide Receivers Coach," the responsibilities extend far beyond the football field. A top-tier Division I coach is a master strategist, a relentless recruiter, a mentor, and a public figure for a multi-million dollar athletic program.
Key responsibilities include:
- Recruiting: Identifying, evaluating, and persuading top high school athletes from across the country to join their program. This involves constant travel, communication, and relationship-building with players, families, and high school coaches.
- Player Development: Coaching players on technique, physical conditioning, and understanding of the offensive or defensive scheme. For a position coach like Hartline, this means honing the skills of wide receivers to an elite, NFL-ready level.
- Strategic Game Planning: Designing and implementing complex offensive or defensive schemes. This involves countless hours of film study to analyze their own team and upcoming opponents to exploit weaknesses.
- Mentorship and Leadership: Guiding young student-athletes through the pressures of academics, high-level sports, and personal growth.
- Media and Alumni Relations: Acting as a public face for the program, which includes press conferences, interviews, and engaging with university boosters and alumni.
Average College Football Coach Salary
The salary for a college football coach varies dramatically based on the division, program prestige, and specific role. It's essential to look at the data in tiers.
- National Average (All Levels): The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups these professionals under "Coaches and Scouts." The median annual wage for this category was $44,890 in May 2023. However, this figure includes coaches from all sports and at all levels, from small colleges to high schools, and does not reflect the reality of high-level college football.
- Typical Assistant Coach (Division I): According to data from Salary.com, the average Assistant College Football Coach's salary in the United States is around $60,544, with a typical range falling between $49,067 and $80,094. This is a more accurate reflection for a position coach at a mid-major Division I program.
- Elite Coordinator/Position Coach (Power Five): This is where salaries skyrocket. As evidenced by Brian Hartline’s $1.6 million salary, coordinators and top assistants at major programs like Ohio State, Alabama, or Georgia operate in a different financial stratosphere. Data from USA Today's NCAA coaching salary database consistently shows that dozens of assistant coaches across the country earn over $1 million annually.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
A coach's salary isn't arbitrary. It's a calculated investment by a university, influenced by several powerful factors.
### Level of Education
While a bachelor's degree is a near-universal requirement for a university coaching position—often in fields like sports management, kinesiology, or education—it is not the primary driver of salary. Unlike in many other professions, advanced degrees do not typically correlate with higher pay. Instead, a coach's value is determined more by their on-field success, recruiting prowess, and previous playing experience.
### Years of Experience
Experience is paramount and follows a clear hierarchy. A typical career path might look like this:
1. Graduate Assistant (GA): An entry-level role for recent graduates, often paying a small stipend or covering tuition.
2. Quality Control or Analyst: An off-field role involving film breakdown and data analysis.
3. Position Coach: The first major on-field role, responsible for a specific unit (e.g., linebackers, running backs). Salaries here see a significant jump.
4. Coordinator: As an Offensive or Defensive Coordinator, you are responsible for an entire side of the ball. This promotion comes with a dramatic salary increase, often vaulting a coach into the high six-figures or, at elite programs, over a million dollars.
Brian Hartline’s rapid ascent from a Quality Control Analyst in 2017 to Offensive Coordinator by 2023 demonstrates how proven success can accelerate this timeline and the associated pay increases.
### Geographic Location and Program Prestige
In college football, location is less about the state and more about the prestige of the university and its athletic conference. The financial gap is enormous.
- Power Five Conferences (SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC): These conferences have massive media rights deals, huge stadiums, and fervent donor bases. This financial firepower allows them to pay multi-million dollar salaries to attract and retain the best coaching talent in the country.
- Group of Five and FCS: Coaches in these conferences (e.g., MAC, Sun Belt) or the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) perform similar duties but have drastically smaller budgets. A highly successful coordinator in these conferences might earn in the low-to-mid six figures.
### Company Type (University & Athletic Department)
The "company" is the university's athletic department, and its financial health is a critical factor. Revenue from ticket sales, television contracts, conference payouts, merchandise, and, most importantly, booster donations directly funds the salary pool. A program like Ohio State, with its massive budget and dedicated donors, can afford to compete for top talent by offering contracts like Hartline's, which often include significant performance bonuses for bowl game appearances, conference championships, and national titles.
### Area of Specialization
Not all assistant coaching roles are compensated equally. There is a clear pay scale based on a position's perceived impact on the game.
- Offensive & Defensive Coordinators: These are the highest-paid assistants by a significant margin, as they are effectively the head coaches of their respective units.
- Quarterbacks Coach: This is often one of the next highest-paid positions due to the critical importance of quarterback play.
- Other Position Coaches: Coaches for the offensive line, defensive line, and wide receivers are also highly valued and well-compensated, particularly for their ability to develop NFL-caliber talent. Brian Hartline's reputation for producing first-round NFL draft picks at wide receiver makes him exceptionally valuable and is a key justification for his top-tier salary.
Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for the Coaches and Scouts category will grow by 11% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by the continued expansion and commercialization of sports at all levels.
However, it is crucial to add context: the competition for high-paying jobs at the Division I level is incredibly intense. The field is results-driven, and job security is notoriously low. A team's poor performance often leads to high turnover, but this also creates opportunities for new coaches to rise through the ranks.
Conclusion
A career as a college football coach is one of high risk and high reward. While the journey begins with modest pay and immense dedication, the ceiling for earning potential is exceptionally high. Brian Hartline's $1.6 million salary serves as a powerful case study, illustrating the lucrative compensation available to those who can combine strategic genius, recruiting acumen, and a proven ability to develop elite players.
For anyone considering this path, the key takeaways are clear:
- Start with Passion: Success is built on a deep love for the game and a commitment to mentoring young athletes.
- Network and Climb: Build relationships and be prepared to start at the bottom, working your way up the coaching ladder.
- Deliver Results: Ultimately, salary and job security are tied to winning games and developing talent.
For those who can navigate the competitive landscape, a coaching career offers the chance to make a profound impact on and off the field, with financial rewards to match.