Ohio State Buckeyes football salaries set college football’s financial standard. Ryan Day earns $12.5 million annually ranking 2nd nationally behind only Kirby Smart.
The Buckeyes generated $254.9 million in total athletic revenue with football contributing over $180 million.
Ohio State’s NIL collectives consolidated under Buckeye Sports Group with estimated $20 million annual football roster funding, college football’s most aggressive NIL investment.
Day’s 2025 National Championship victory validated his eight-year $100 million contract extension.
His $1.55 million maximum bonus potential combined with $12.5 million base creates $14.05 million total compensation ceiling, cementing Ohio State’s financial commitment to sustained championship dominance.
Learn more about the Ohio State Buckeyes players biography and net worth by clicking on their name.
| Quarterbacks (QB) | Running Backs (RB) | Wide Receivers (WR) |
| Devin Brown | Mason Maggs | Air Noland |
| Lincoln Kienholz | TC Caffey | Chad Ray |
| Julian Sayin | Rashid SeSay | Isaiah West |
| Chase Brecht | CJ Donaldson | Brandon Inniss |
| David Adolph | Shawn Lodge | |
| Joop Mitchell | ||
| Bryson Rodgers | ||
| Brennen Schramm | ||
| Carnell Tate | ||
| Dorian Williams | ||
| Damarion Witten |
Top 10 Highest Paid Ohio State Football Staff 2024-2025
Ohio State’s coaching staff salaries totaling $24.275 million represent college football’s highest combined investment, with Matt Patricia becoming defensive coordinator’s 4th-highest paid assistant at $2.5 million after 20-year NFL career.
| Rank | Name | Position | Annual Salary | Contract Length | Total Contract Value |
| 1 | Ryan Day | Head Coach | $12,500,000 | Through 2032 | $100,000,000 |
| 2 | Matt Patricia | Defensive Coordinator | $2,500,000 | Through 2028 | $7,500,000 |
| 3 | Brian Hartline | Offensive Coordinator/WR | $2,000,000 | Through 2027 | N/A |
| 4 | Tim Walton | Co-DC/Defensive Backs | $1,250,000 | Through 2026 | N/A |
| 5 | Chip Kelly | Senior Offensive Advisor | $1,000,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
| 6 | Justin Frye | Offensive Line | $900,000 | Through 2026 | N/A |
| 7 | Larry Johnson | Defensive Line | $850,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
| 8 | Parker Fleming | Special Teams | $750,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
| 9 | Carlos Locklyn | Running Backs | $650,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
| 10 | Keenan Bailey | Co-OC/Tight Ends | $650,000 | Through 2025 | N/A |
Matt Patricia’s $2.5 million defensive coordinator salary marks his first college role since 2003 Syracuse graduate assistant position.
His pay exceeds predecessor Jim Knowles’s $2.2 million by $300,000, though Knowles now earns $3.1 million at Penn State after leaving post-championship.
Brian Hartline earns $2 million as offensive coordinator after promotion from receivers coach.
His $300,000 raise rewards developing NFL first-round talents including Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr., maintaining Ohio State’s “Wide Receiver University” reputation.
Ohio State’s total assistant pool reaches $11.775 million, college football’s highest. Combined with Day’s $12.5 million, total staff compensation of $24.275 million exceeds Alabama ($19.45M), Georgia ($29.28M when including Smart), and LSU ($24.5M including Kiffin).
How Much Does Ryan Day Make at Ohio State?
Ryan Day earns $12.5 million base salary annually through 2032, ranking 2nd nationally behind Georgia’s Kirby Smart at $13.28 million.
His eight-year $100 million contract signed February 2025 makes him Big Ten’s highest-paid coach by $2.5 million over Michigan’s Sherrone Moore.
Day’s bonus structure allows maximum $1.55 million in additional earnings. He receives $200,000 for Big Ten Championship appearance, $300,000 for winning conference title, $500,000 for CFP semifinal, and $550,000 for national championship, having earned $1 million bonus for 2024 title.
His buyout protection remains undisclosed but estimated at $60-75 million through 2032. Ohio State structured the deal backloading compensation slightly, though $12.5 million base remains constant annually preventing inflation concerns through 2032 contract expiration.
Ohio State Football Program Revenue Breakdown 2024-2025
| Revenue Source | 2024 Amount | % of Total | Conference Rank | National Rank |
| Football Revenue | $180,000,000+ | 70.6% | 1st Big Ten | 1st National |
| Big Ten Media Rights | $65,000,000 | 25.5% | Tied Big Ten | Top 8 |
| Ticket Sales | $58,788,651 | 23.1% | 1st Big Ten | Top 5 |
| Contributions/Donations | $40,000,000 | 15.7% | 2nd Big Ten | Top 10 |
| Other Revenue | $16,000,000 | 6.3% | N/A | N/A |
| Total Revenue | $254,933,664 | 100% | 1st Big Ten | 1st National |
Ohio State generated $254.9 million in total athletic revenue for fiscal year 2024, college football’s highest despite declining from record $279.5 million in FY 2023.
The decrease reflected six-game home schedule versus eight previous year including marquee Notre Dame matchup driving $14.5 million ticket revenue loss.
Football contributes approximately $180+ million representing 70.6% of total athletic revenue.
Ohio State’s football-only revenue exceeds most programs’ entire athletic department budgets, with ticket sales of $58.8 million ranking 1st in Big Ten despite reduced home schedule.
Big Ten media rights distributed approximately $65 million to Ohio State, conference’s equal share from $7 billion seven-year deal.
Additional CFP first-round hosting generated $5.1 million net profit ($19.7M gross minus $14.6M expenses), demonstrating Ohio State’s revenue maximization across all opportunities.
Ohio State Top NIL Earners & Buckeye Sports Group
| Player Name | Position | Est. NIL Value | Top NIL Deal | Total Deals |
| Jeremiah Smith | Wide Receiver | $4,200,000 | Red Bull/Adidas | 8+ deals |
| Caleb Downs | Safety | $2,400,000 | Multiple brands | 6+ deals |
| Will Howard | Quarterback | $1,400,000 | Regional partners | 5+ deals |
| Emeka Egbuka | Wide Receiver | $1,200,000 | Local businesses | 5+ deals |
| TreVeyon Henderson | Running Back | $1,000,000 | Regional deals | 4+ deals |
Jeremiah Smith’s $4.2 million NIL valuation ranks 3rd nationally behind only Texas’s Arch Manning ($4.7M) and Miami’s Carson Beck ($4.4M).
His Red Bull partnership combined with Adidas, Nintendo, KeyBank, 7-Eleven, American Eagle, and Outfitters deals make him highest-paid non-quarterback in college football.
Ohio State consolidated THE Foundation and The 1870 Society under Buckeye Sports Group umbrella in September 2024.
Athletic director Ross Bjork stated collectives raised estimated $20 million supporting 2024 roster, college football’s most aggressive NIL investment matching or exceeding Texas and Oregon.
Caleb Downs commands $2.4 million NIL value ranking 14th nationally overall. His transfer from Alabama demonstrated Ohio State’s NIL competitive advantage even against SEC powerhouses, with Buckeyes reportedly offering $500,000-$1 million more than Alabama’s retention offer.
What Do Ohio State Assistant Coaches Earn?
Matt Patricia’s $2.5 million defensive coordinator salary ranks 4th nationally behind Penn State’s Jim Knowles ($3.1M), LSU’s Blake Baker ($2.5M tied), and Auburn’s DJ Durkin ($2.5M tied).
His three-year deal through 2028 represents Ohio State’s commitment hiring elite NFL experience despite Patricia’s controversial Lions tenure.
Brian Hartline earns $2 million as offensive coordinator ranking approximately 5th nationally.
His $300,000 raise from $1.7 million receivers coach salary rewards developing four consecutive first-round NFL draft picks from 2022-2025, maintaining Ohio State’s elite wide receiver recruiting pipeline.
Position coaches earn $650,000-$1.25 million annually. Tim Walton’s $1.25 million co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs salary leads position coaches, while Larry Johnson’s $850,000 defensive line salary reflects 12-year Ohio State tenure producing Joey Bosa, Nick Bosa, Chase Young, and numerous NFL talents.
Ohio State vs Michigan: Which Program Spends More?
Ryan Day’s $12.5 million salary exceeds Sherrone Moore’s $6.11 million by $6.39 million, college football’s largest rivalry coaching salary disparity. Day’s compensation reflects championship expectations while Moore rebuilds post-Jim Harbaugh transition following 6-6 debut season.
Coordinator spending favors Ohio State significantly. Matt Patricia’s $2.5 million matches Wink Martindale’s $2.5 million, but Brian Hartline’s $2 million offensive coordinator salary exceeds Chip Lindsey’s $1.6 million by $400,000, giving Ohio State $400,000 edge in combined coordinator compensation.
Total athletic revenue heavily favors Ohio State. The Buckeyes’ $254.9 million exceeds Michigan’s $238 million by $16.9 million (7% advantage).
Combined with $20 million NIL funding versus Michigan’s estimated $10-12 million, Ohio State maintains substantial financial advantages perpetuating recruiting dominance.
FAQs
How much does Ryan Day make?
Ryan Day earns $12.5 million base salary annually through 2032, ranking 2nd nationally behind Kirby Smart. His eight-year $100 million contract includes potential $1.55 million in bonuses for national championship runs.
How much NIL money do Ohio State players get?
Ohio State’s consolidated collectives under Buckeye Sports Group raised estimated $20 million for 2024 roster. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith leads with $4.2 million NIL valuation including Red Bull and Adidas deals.
What is Matt Patricia’s salary?
Matt Patricia earns $2.5 million as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator through 2028, ranking 4th nationally tied with LSU’s Blake Baker and Auburn’s DJ Durkin. He makes $300,000 more than predecessor Jim Knowles.
How much does Ohio State make from football?
Ohio State generated $254.9 million in total athletic revenue for fiscal year 2024 with football contributing approximately $180+ million (70.6%). The program ranks 1st nationally in total athletic revenue.
