Alex Golesh earns $6.75 million in his first contract year at Auburn on a six year deal that guarantees $44.25 million and runs through the 2031 season. Auburn hired him from South Florida on Nov. 30, 2025, to replace the fired Hugh Freeze, after Golesh passed on Arkansas. He made $2.5 million at USF. His pay rises $250,000 a year to $8 million in 2031, and big win totals can add millions more.
| 2026 salary | $6.75 million (Nov. 30, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2026) |
| Raises | $7 million in 2027, $7.25 million in 2028, $7.5 million in 2029, $7.75 million in 2030, $8 million in 2031 |
| Win bonuses | $1.5 million for a ninth regular season win, $2 million more for a 10th, and $1 million each for an 11th and 12th: up to $5.5 million |
| Postseason bonuses | $150,000 SEC title game, $300,000 SEC title, at least $1 million for a playoff berth, $250,000 each for the quarterfinal and semifinal, $500,000 for the title game and $1 million for the title |
| Freeze’s buyout | Auburn still owes Hugh Freeze $15.8 million with no mitigation |
How It Compares
| Coach | School | 2026 pay |
|---|---|---|
| Jon Sumrall | Florida | $7.45 million |
| Alex Golesh | Auburn | $6.75 million |
| Josh Heupel (his former boss) | Tennessee | $9 million |
Contract terms are from the terms Auburn released, as reported by FootballScoop and ABC 33/40, and the Associated Press. The full national list is on our college football coaching salaries page.
The Bottom Line
Alex Golesh makes $6.75 million in his first year at Auburn on a six year deal guaranteeing $44.25 million through 2031, rising to $8 million, with win bonuses that start at a ninth regular season win. Auburn is paying him while still owing Hugh Freeze $15.8 million. Follow the Tigers on the Auburn football schedule, Auburn score today and Auburn NIL.