Notre Dame Fighting Irish football salaries demonstrate elite independence without conference affiliation. Marcus Freeman earns approximately $9 million annually under his restructured 2024 extension, ranking 15th nationally.
The Fighting Irish generate $143 million in annual football revenue without conference revenue sharing. Notre Dame allocates $16-18 million for football revenue sharing starting 2025-26, representing roughly 80% of total athletic revenue distribution.
Freeman’s National Championship appearance in January 2025 against Ohio State validates Notre Dame’s $54 million investment.
His $1.85 billion program valuation ranks 3rd nationally behind only Texas and Georgia, proving independence remains financially viable in modern college football.
Learn more about the Notre Dame Fighting Irish players biography and net worth by clicking on their name.
| Quarterbacks (QB) | Running Backs (RB) | Wide Receivers (WR) |
| CJ Carr | Dylan Devezin | Elijah Burress |
| Blake Hebert | Nolan James Jr. | Jordan Faison |
| Kenny Minchey | Jeremiyah Love | Micah Gilbert |
| Anthony Rezac | Gi’Bran Payne | Jaden Greathouse |
| Tyler Buchner | Jadarian Price | Matt Jeffery |
| Aneyas Williams | Will Pauling | |
| Kedren Young | Scrap Richardson | |
| Jake Tafelski | Logan Saldate | |
| Leo Scheidler | ||
| KK Smith | ||
| Xavier Southall | ||
| Alex Whitman | ||
| Cam Williams | ||
| Jerome Bettis Jr. |
Top 10 Highest Paid Notre Dame Football Staff 2024-2025
Notre Dame’s coaching staff salaries reflect private school financial advantages with Mike Denbrock becoming college football’s highest-paid offensive coordinator at $2.1 million after leaving LSU.
| Rank | Name | Position | Annual Salary | Contract Length | Total Contract Value |
| 1 | Marcus Freeman | Head Coach | $9,000,000 | Through 2030 | $54,000,000 |
| 2 | Mike Denbrock | Offensive Coordinator | $2,100,000 | Through 2027 | $6,300,000 |
| 3 | Al Golden | Defensive Coordinator | $1,900,000 | Through 2026 | N/A |
| 4 | Chad Bowden | Co-DC/LBs | $1,200,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
| 5 | Joe Rudolph | Offensive Line | $950,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
| 6 | Mike Mickens | Defensive Backs | $900,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
| 7 | Brian Mason | Special Teams | $850,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
| 8 | Mike Elston | Defensive Line | $825,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
| 9 | Gerad Parker | Wide Receivers | $750,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
| 10 | Deland McCullough | Running Backs | $700,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
Mike Denbrock’s $2.1 million offensive coordinator salary ranks 1st nationally among all assistants in offensive roles. Notre Dame poached him from LSU in 2024, topping his $1.8 million three-year LSU offer to secure the architect of Jayden Daniels’ Heisman Trophy season.
Al Golden earns estimated $1.9 million as defensive coordinator, ranking approximately 9th nationally. His salary matches Clemson DC Tom Allen and Texas DC Pete Kwiatkowski, reflecting Notre Dame’s willingness matching elite programs despite no conference revenue sharing.
Notre Dame’s total assistant pool reaches approximately $11 million. This exceeds most programs outside SEC/Big Ten elite despite Notre Dame’s independent status, demonstrating television contract strength compensating for lack of conference media distributions.
How Much Does Marcus Freeman Make at Notre Dame?
Marcus Freeman earns approximately $9 million annually under his 2024 contract extension through 2030, totaling $54 million.
His exact salary remains undisclosed as Notre Dame’s private school status exempts public records disclosure, though insider reports confirm the $9 million range.
Freeman’s 2025 reported compensation of $7.421 million includes only base salary per tax documents.
His actual total compensation exceeds this figure through bonuses, incentives, and supplemental payments not captured in USA Today’s database, explaining discrepancy between reported figures.
His bonus structure emphasizes CFP performance. Freeman earned substantial bonuses for Notre Dame’s 2024 National Championship appearance, with incentives for CFP qualification, semifinal advancement, and title game participation potentially adding $2-3 million to base compensation.
Notre Dame Football Program Revenue Breakdown 2024-2025
| Revenue Source | Est. Amount | % of Total | Independent Rank | National Rank |
| NBC Media Rights | $60,000,000 | 42.0% | 1st Independent | Top 10 |
| Ticket Sales | $45,000,000 | 31.5% | 1st Independent | Top 8 |
| Contributions/Donations | $28,000,000 | 19.6% | 1st Independent | Top 20 |
| Licensing/Merchandise | $8,000,000 | 5.6% | 1st Independent | Top 15 |
| Other Revenue | $2,000,000 | 1.4% | N/A | N/A |
| Total Revenue | $143,000,000 | 100% | 1st Independent | 4th National |
Notre Dame generates approximately $143 million in annual football revenue according to Athletic valuations, ranking 4th nationally behind only Texas, Georgia, and Ohio State. The program’s $1.85 billion valuation ranks 3rd nationally, demonstrating independence remains elite financially.
NBC Sports pays Notre Dame approximately $60 million annually through exclusive television rights running through 2029.
This figure exceeds ACC’s $32 million per-school distribution and approaches SEC’s $50 million, proving Notre Dame’s brand commands premium media value independently.
Notre Dame Stadium’s 77,622 capacity generates approximately $45 million in ticket sales ranking 8th nationally.
The Fighting Irish sell out regularly despite no conference games, with premium seating and donations from wealthy alumni base producing $28 million annual contributions.
Notre Dame Top NIL Earners & Revenue Sharing Model
| Player Name | Position | Est. NIL Value | Top NIL Deal | Total Deals |
| Riley Leonard | Quarterback | $1,600,000 | EA Sports/Rhoback | 8+ deals |
| Jadarian Price | Running Back | $500,000 | Regional partners | 3+ deals |
| Jeremiyah Love | Running Back | $450,000 | Local businesses | 3+ deals |
| Benjamin Morrison | Cornerback | $400,000 | Multiple brands | 2+ deals |
| Xavier Watts | Safety | $350,000 | Regional deals | 2+ deals |
Riley Leonard leads Notre Dame with $1.6 million NIL valuation through partnerships with EA Sports, Rhoback, Great Clips, Gillette, and Giorgio Armani Beauty.
His value ranks 22nd nationally among all college football players, exceeding Ohio State’s Will Howard ($1.4M) heading into National Championship.
Notre Dame allocates $16-18 million for football revenue sharing starting 2025-26 academic year, representing approximately 80% of total athletic revenue distribution.
This figure approaches Ohio State’s $20 million and exceeds most programs, maintaining Notre Dame’s competitive position.
The Fighting Irish benefit from Mendoza School of Business and Brady Quinn establishing substantial NIL fund supporting athlete compensation.
Notre Dame’s collective structure remains less publicized than competitors, though Riley Leonard confirmed players receive “everything you need” despite lower public NIL figures.
What Do Notre Dame Assistant Coaches Earn?
Mike Denbrock’s $2.1 million offensive coordinator salary ranks 1st nationally among all offensive assistants.
Notre Dame topped LSU’s $1.8 million three-year offer, demonstrating willingness paying premium rates securing elite coordinators despite independent status without conference revenue.
Al Golden earns estimated $1.9 million as defensive coordinator, tied for 9th nationally with Clemson’s Tom Allen and Texas’s Pete Kwiatkowski.
His compensation reflects Notre Dame’s defensive tradition producing consistent NFL talent despite scheme changes across coaching regimes.
Position coaches earn $700,000-$1.2 million annually. Chad Bowden’s $1.2 million co-defensive coordinator/linebackers salary reflects Notre Dame’s emphasis on linebacker development, historically producing NFL stars like Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Manti Te’o, and Jaylon Smith.
Notre Dame vs USC: Which Program Spends More?
Marcus Freeman’s estimated $9 million salary trails Lincoln Riley’s $10 million by $1 million, reflecting USC’s Big Ten membership providing $65 million annual media rights versus Notre Dame’s NBC deal.
Freeman’s rise proves Notre Dame competes without conference affiliation.
Coordinator spending favors Notre Dame significantly. Mike Denbrock’s $2.1 million offensive coordinator salary exceeds USC OC Josh Henson’s estimated $1.5 million by $600,000, while combined Notre Dame coordinator salaries ($4M) top USC’s combined total.
Total program revenue shows near parity. Notre Dame’s $143 million approximates USC’s estimated $138 million, though USC’s Big Ten membership provides $65 million media rights versus Notre Dame’s $60 million NBC deal, creating slight USC advantage moving forward.
FAQs
How much does Marcus Freeman make?
Marcus Freeman earns approximately $9 million annually under his 2024 extension through 2030, totaling $54 million. Tax documents show $7.421 million base with additional bonuses pushing total above $9 million.
How much NIL money do Notre Dame players get?
Notre Dame allocates $16-18 million for football revenue sharing starting 2025-26, approximately 80% of total distribution. Quarterback Riley Leonard leads with $1.6 million NIL valuation through EA Sports and Rhoback deals.
What is Mike Denbrock’s salary?
Mike Denbrock earns $2.1 million as Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator, college football’s highest-paid offensive assistant. Notre Dame topped LSU’s $1.8 million offer to secure him in 2024.
How much does Notre Dame make from football?
Notre Dame generates approximately $143 million in annual football revenue, ranking 4th nationally. The program’s $1.85 billion valuation ranks 3rd behind only Texas and Georgia per Athletic estimates.
