Auburn Tigers football salaries reflect SEC investment despite recent struggles. Hugh Freeze earns $6.725 million annually ranking 14th in the conference. The Tigers generated $121.1 million in football revenue for fiscal year 2024.
Auburn’s NIL collective reportedly lags behind elite SEC programs as Freeze admitted refusing to spend $1 million on transfer quarterbacks.
The program faces financial challenges competing with Alabama, Georgia, and Texas in NIL spending. Freeze’s six-year contract through 2028 carries a $15.4 million buyout if fired before December 2025, creating pressure to win immediately in the SEC’s toughest division.
Learn more about the Auburn Tigers players biography and net worth by clicking on their name.
| Quarterbacks (QB) | Running Backs (RB) | Wide Receivers (WR) |
| Jackson Arnold | Damari Alston | Cam Coleman |
| Ashton Daniels | Jeremiah Cobb | Eric Singleton Jr. |
| Deuce Knight | Durell Robinson | Malcolm Simmons |
| Alvin Henderson | Perry Thompson | |
| Bryce Cain |
Top 10 Highest Paid Auburn Football Staff 2024-2025
Auburn’s coaching staff salaries increased dramatically in 2025 with defensive coordinator DJ Durkin’s extension more than doubling his pay to $2.5 million, making him college football’s second-highest paid assistant.
| Rank | Name | Position | Annual Salary | Contract Length | Total Contract Value |
| 1 | Hugh Freeze | Head Coach | $6,725,000 | Through 2028 | $42,000,000 |
| 2 | DJ Durkin | Defensive Coordinator | $2,500,000 | Through 2027 | $7,900,000 |
| 3 | Derrick Nix | Offensive Coordinator | $1,100,000 | Through 2026 | N/A |
| 4 | Charles Kelly | Special Teams Coordinator | $875,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
| 5 | Marcus Davis | Defensive Backs | $650,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
| 6 | Jake Thornton | Offensive Line | $625,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
| 7 | Jeremy Garrett | Tight Ends | $600,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
| 8 | Bert Watts | Defensive Line | $575,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
| 9 | Wesley McGriff | Cornerbacks | $550,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
| 10 | Zac Etheridge | Safeties | $525,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
DJ Durkin’s $2.5 million salary ties LSU’s Blake Baker as college football’s second-highest paid coordinator behind Penn State’s Jim Knowles at $3.1 million. His extension includes $200,000 annual escalators reaching $2.9 million in 2027.
Derrick Nix earns $1.1 million as offensive coordinator, a significant investment for Auburn. His salary reflects Freeze’s priority on offensive innovation after the Tigers ranked 11th in the SEC scoring just 21.2 points per game in 2024.
Auburn’s total assistant pool exceeds $9 million annually. The Tigers invested heavily in coordinators after 5-7 season, hoping elite coaching talent compensates for NIL disadvantages against wealthier conference rivals.
How Much Does Hugh Freeze Make at Auburn?
Hugh Freeze earns $6.725 million base salary for 2025, ranking 36th nationally and 14th in the SEC. His six-year contract increases $250,000 annually, reaching $7.75 million by 2028 with total value exceeding $42 million.
Freeze’s bonus structure emphasizes SEC success. He earns $150,000 upon reaching five SEC wins plus $150,000 per additional conference victory. CFP qualification pays $500,000, while a national championship triggers $2 million bonus, potentially pushing total compensation to $9.375 million.
His buyout starts at $15.4 million if fired before December 1, 2025, decreasing annually to $9.75 million by 2028. If Freeze leaves voluntarily, he owes Auburn $6 million through 2025, $5 million in 2026, declining to $2 million by 2028.
Auburn Football Program Revenue Breakdown 2024-2025
| Revenue Source | 2024 Amount | % of Total | Conference Rank | National Rank |
| Ticket Sales | $42,500,000 | 35.1% | 4th SEC | Top 15 |
| Contributions/Donations | $35,200,000 | 29.1% | 5th SEC | Top 20 |
| Media Rights | $24,900,000 | 20.6% | Tied SEC | Top 20 |
| Licensing/Merchandise | $12,300,000 | 10.2% | 6th SEC | Top 25 |
| Other Revenue | $6,200,000 | 5.0% | N/A | N/A |
| Total Revenue | $121,100,000 | 100% | 7th SEC | 13th National |
Auburn generated $121.1 million in football revenue for fiscal year 2024, ranking 13th nationally behind SEC rivals Alabama ($140.6M), Georgia ($149M), and Texas ($132M). Program expenses totaled $60.8 million, producing $60.3 million profit supporting other sports.
Ticket sales totaling $42.5 million lead all revenue sources at 35%, reflecting Jordan-Hare Stadium’s 87,451 capacity selling at premium prices. Auburn’s gameday atmosphere generates $3.5 million more ticket revenue than Tennessee despite similar venue sizes.
SEC media rights distributed $24.9 million to Auburn, identical to all conference members. The SEC’s $3 billion 10-year deal pays approximately $50 million annually per school, though Auburn’s 7th-place conference revenue ranking shows dependence on ticket and donation sources.
Auburn Top NIL Earners & Collective Power
| Player Name | Position | Est. NIL Value | Top NIL Deal | Total Deals |
| Payton Thorne | Quarterback | $400,000 | Regional partners | 3+ deals |
| Keldric Faulk | Running Back | $300,000 | Local businesses | 3+ deals |
| Malcolm Simmons | Wide Receiver | $250,000 | Multiple brands | 2+ deals |
| Eugene Asante | Linebacker | $200,000 | Regional deals | 2+ deals |
| Sylvester Smith | Defensive Line | $175,000 | Auburn boosters | 2+ deals |
Auburn’s NIL collective funding reportedly lags elite SEC programs significantly. Hugh Freeze publicly stated he couldn’t justify spending $1 million on transfer quarterbacks, revealing Auburn’s NIL budget constraints compared to Texas’s $40 million and Georgia’s estimated $30+ million.
Payton Thorne leads Auburn players with estimated $400,000 NIL value through regional partnerships and local Auburn businesses. His modest figure compared to Alabama’s Jalen Milroe ($800,000) illustrates Auburn’s 50% NIL disadvantage against in-state rivals.
The Tigers’ limited NIL spending impacts recruiting and transfer portal success. Freeze’s comments about refusing million-dollar QB deals frustrated collective operators who work to compete financially with Georgia, Texas, and Alabama’s war chests.
What Do Auburn Assistant Coaches Earn?
DJ Durkin’s $2.5 million defensive coordinator salary ranks second nationally behind only Penn State’s Jim Knowles at $3.1 million. His February 2025 extension more than doubled his $1.2 million 2024 salary, reflecting Auburn’s desperation retaining elite defensive talent.
Derrick Nix earns $1.1 million as offensive coordinator, a competitive SEC salary. His compensation ranks middle-tier among conference OCs, trailing Alabama’s Ryan Grubb ($1M) but exceeding several programs struggling offensively.
Position coaches earn $525,000-$875,000 annually. Charles Kelly’s $875,000 special teams coordinator salary leads position coaches, while Zac Etheridge’s $525,000 safeties coach pay represents Auburn’s entry-level assistant compensation.
Auburn vs Alabama: Which Program Spends More?
Alabama outspends Auburn across nearly all categories. Kalen DeBoer’s $10.25 million salary exceeds Hugh Freeze’s $6.725 million by $3.5 million annually, while Alabama’s total football revenue of $140.6 million tops Auburn’s $121.1 million by $19.5 million.
Coordinator salaries show mixed results. DJ Durkin’s $2.5 million exceeds Alabama DC Kane Wommack’s $1.7 million by $800,000, giving Auburn rare financial advantage. However, Auburn’s combined coordinator salaries ($3.6M) trail Alabama’s ($2.7M) only through Durkin’s recent extension.
NIL spending heavily favors Alabama. While exact figures remain unverified, Alabama’s Yea Alabama collective reportedly funds sub-$20 million compared to Auburn’s even more modest budget, creating recruiting disadvantages that perpetuate the in-state rivalry’s competitive imbalance.
FAQs
How much does Hugh Freeze make?
Hugh Freeze earns $6.725 million base salary in 2025, ranking 14th in the SEC. His contract increases $250,000 annually reaching $7.75 million by 2028 with potential $3.35 million in total bonuses.
How much NIL money do Auburn players get?
Auburn’s NIL collective reportedly funds less than elite SEC programs. Quarterback Payton Thorne leads with estimated $400,000 NIL value, while Hugh Freeze admitted refusing to spend $1 million on transfer QBs.
What is DJ Durkin’s salary?
DJ Durkin earns $2.5 million as Auburn’s defensive coordinator in 2025, college football’s second-highest paid assistant. His three-year deal increases to $2.9 million by 2027 through $200,000 annual escalators.
How much does Auburn make from football?
Auburn generated $121.1 million in football revenue during fiscal year 2024 with $60.8 million in expenses. The $60.3 million profit supports Auburn’s entire 19-sport athletic department.
