Matt Campbell is paid $8 million in base and supplemental salary in 2026 at Penn State, plus a $1 million retention bonus, on an eight year contract that guarantees him $70.5 million through the 2033 season. Penn State hired him from Iowa State in December 2025 to replace the fired James Franklin, making him the highest paid coach in school history, and paid Iowa State a $2 million buyout to get him. He made about $5 million a year in Ames.
| 2026 pay | $8 million guaranteed plus a $1 million retention bonus |
| Raises | Rises to $8.5 million by 2028 and at least $9 million a year from 2029. Penn State’s total value with retention bonuses is about $78.5 million |
| If Penn State fires him | 100 percent of the remaining guaranteed pay, subject to mitigation if he takes another job |
| If he leaves | $10 million in 2026, dropping to $1 million for the final three years |
| Playoff clause | Each College Football Playoff trip adds one year and a $500,000 raise |
| Title clause | A national championship adds two years, a $1 million bonus and at least $1 million a year in salary |
How It Compares
| Coach | School | 2026 pay |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Campbell | Penn State | $9 million with retention bonus |
| Josh Heupel | Tennessee | $9 million |
| James Franklin (his predecessor) | Virginia Tech | $6 million |
Contract terms are from the terms Penn State released after board approval, as reported by FootballScoop, WHTM and StateCollege.com. The full national list is on our college football coaching salaries page.
The Bottom Line
Matt Campbell makes $8 million plus a $1 million retention bonus in 2026 on an eight year Penn State contract that guarantees $70.5 million through 2033, with automatic extensions for playoff trips and a title. Follow the Nittany Lions on the Penn State football schedule, Penn State score today and Penn State NIL.