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The salaries NFL coaches earn are a testament to the popularity of the league in the country. Football remains the most prevalent sport and the NFL remains its pinnacle. Four out of the top five highest paid coaches in all sports belong to the NFL, with Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs from the NBA the only exception.
In fact, the top twenty-five coaches are dominated by the NFL, the NBA and the NCAA. For the moment, we limit ourselves to the NFL and look at how much the top five NFL coaches earn.
#5 - Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers, 11.4 Million USD
Mike Tomlin has been the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach since 2007. He has led them to a Super Bowl win, two appearances, three AFC Championship games, seven division titles and nine playoff runs.
He also has several franchise records that make him highly valued in Pittsburgh. He reached 125 wins in 192 games, the fastest in the Steelers' history. Among NFL coaches, that is the fifth fastest. He has had 14 straight winning seasons, a record he shares with Marty Schottenheimer. His regular-season winning record stands at 0.650, the best among all NFL coaches who have coached the Pittsburgh Steelers.
#4 - Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs, 12 Million USD
Having led the Kansas City Chiefs to their first Super Bowl in half a century, Andy Reid can, of course, charge whatever he demands, and the Chiefs are more than happy to accommodate him.
Reid has been with the Chiefs for eight seasons now and has done what many other NFL coaches have failed to do. He has turned them into perennial playoff contenders.
Under his tutelage, the Kansas City Chiefs have reached the post-season seven times, won the division five times, played in three AFC Championship games, been to two Super Bowls and won one. He remains the only Kansas City coach to have won consecutive division titles.
Among the personal accolades that he has achieved over his career, he has been chosen as the best among all NFL coaches four times by various awarding bodies. He was also the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers when they won Super Bowl XXXI. For his achievements before he joined Kansas City, and for the transformation he has brought on the club, he is worthy of the salary he receives.
The top 3 highest earning NFL coaches
#3 - Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints, 14 million USD
In third place on our list of the highest paid NFL coaches is Sean Payton. He is the most successful coach in the history of the New Orleans Saints.
Payton has been the Saints head coach since 2006 and is among the longest serving NFL coaches, behind only Bill Belichick. Payton has won seven division titles with the Saints and has made it to the playoffs nine times. He has also made it to the NFC Championship game thrice, and has also led the Saints to their Super Bowl XLIV win.
Payton is particularly admired for his offensive schemes. He has the best record among NFL coaches in offensive yards gained and points scored in the Saints' first 100 matches, with 40,158 yards and 2,804 points, respectively.
His reputation was slightly tarnished during the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal in 2012, for which he was suspended for the entirety of the season; but having served his punishment, he still remains one of the best NFL coaches in the league.
#2 - Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks, 14 million USD
Joining Sean Payton with an equal salary number amongst NFL coaches is Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. If Sean Payton is known for his offense, Pete Carroll is known among NFL coaches for creating one of the best defenses the league has ever seen in the Legion of Boom.
He is the most successful coach in Seahawks history, having won their maiden Super Bowl in the XLVIII edition. In addition to that victory, Pete Carroll has taken the Seahawks to another Super Bowl, five division titles and nine playoff appearances. His success in Seattle justifies his salary.
#1 - Bill Belichick, New England Patriots, 18 million USD
Who else should be number one on this list other than the greatest head coach of all time? Bill Belichick has won the Super Bowl six times as head coach with the New England Patriots and twice with the New York Giants as their defensive coordinator. With the Patriots, he has won the division 17 times, made it to the AFC Championship Game 13 times and has played in nine Super Bowls.
None of the other NFL coaches have the kind of influence that Bill Belichick has on the team, where he acts as the de facto general manager as well. Without a doubt he deserves his salary. In fact, he should be given whatever he demands given his achievements.
