Top 5 Highest-Paid College Baseball Coaches in 2025

The highest-paid coaches in college baseball are leading some of the most dominant programs in the country. In 2025, five head coaches stand above the rest in terms of pay, prestige, and postseason pedigree. Here’s a closer look at each one, their contract situation, and what they’ve accomplished heading into the summer of 2025.

College Baseball’s Highest Paid Coaches

1. Tony Vitello – Tennessee – $3.00 Million
2. Brian O’Connor – Mississippi State – $2.90 Million
3. Tim Corbin – Vanderbilt – $2.45 Million
4. Kevin O’Sullivan – Florida – $1.84 Million
5. Tim Tadlock – Texas Tech – $1.83 Million

1. Tony Vitello, Tennessee – $3.00 Million

Tony Vitello has turned Tennessee into a national powerhouse. Since taking over in 2018, he’s led the Vols to three College World Series appearances and delivered the school’s first national championship in 2024. That title run was dominant — Tennessee went 60–13 and swept the SEC regular season, SEC Tournament, and NCAA title, becoming the first SEC team ever to pull off the triple.

Vitello’s coaching career began with assistant roles at Missouri, TCU, and Arkansas, where he gained a reputation as an elite recruiter. Tennessee hired him as head coach in 2017, and the turnaround was immediate. His teams are known for power hitting, aggressive pitching, and depth across the board. Since 2018, the Vols have sent 43 players to the MLB Draft — 33 of those since 2021 alone.

His latest contract extension — signed after the 2024 title — pays $3 million annually through 2029. It includes a large assistant salary pool and high buyout clauses. He’s also credited with landing the No. 1 recruiting class in 2024, confirming his status as one of the top program-builders in college baseball.

2. Brian O’Connor, Mississippi State – $2.90 Million

Brian O’Connor shocked the college baseball world by leaving Virginia (and their roster in disarray) after 22 seasons to take over at Mississippi State in 2025. The Bulldogs gave him a four-year deal worth $2.9 million per year — making him the second-highest-paid coach in the country before he even coached a game in Starkville.

O’Connor’s track record at Virginia is hard to match. He led the Cavaliers to seven College World Series appearances, 14 consecutive NCAA tournament berths (2004–2017), and the program’s first national title in 2015. He finished his time in Charlottesville with an 885–370 record and three national Coach of the Year awards. Virginia under O’Connor became a consistent postseason threat, known for its balanced approach and MLB development pipeline. Over 100 players were drafted during his tenure, including 16 first-round picks.

His arrival at Mississippi State signals a serious investment in returning to national relevance. MSU has the fan base and facilities to contend every year, and O’Connor’s resume suggests they’ll get there fast. Whether he brings Omaha glory to Starkville remains to be seen, but the Bulldogs are betting big.

3. Tim Corbin, Vanderbilt – $2.45 Million

Tim Corbin has been the face of Vanderbilt baseball for over two decades. Since taking over in 2003, he’s built the Commodores into one of the sport’s elite programs — winning national championships in 2014 and 2019 and making five College World Series appearances. The program is known for pitching dominance, defensive consistency, and a deep pipeline of MLB talent.

Corbin has more than 1,070 career wins and multiple SEC titles. His squads have won both regular season and tournament championships, with the most recent coming in 2025. Vanderbilt’s player development under Corbin is unmatched: 152 players have been drafted since he arrived, including No. 1 overall pick Dansby Swanson and Cy Young winner David Price.

Although Vanderbilt is a private school and doesn’t release contract terms, reporting places Corbin’s salary at around $2.45 million annually. He’s consistently been among the highest-paid coaches in the sport, and Vandy has committed substantial resources to keeping him. Despite the program’s resources and reputation, Corbin has avoided major off-field headlines and remains a steady, high-performing presence in the SEC.

4. Kevin O’Sullivan, Florida – $1.84 Million

Kevin O’Sullivan has been the head coach at Florida since 2008. He guided the Gators to their first national championship in 2017 and another College World Series finals appearance in 2023. Florida has made the NCAA Tournament every season under O’Sullivan, and he became the school’s all-time wins leader in 2021.

Florida gave O’Sullivan a contract extension through 2033, bumping his salary to $1.84 million per year. The deal includes a $1 million base, with performance bonuses tied to postseason success. O’Sullivan’s consistency is rare — his teams not only win but also reload with top recruiting classes and produce professional talent. More than 100 Florida players have been drafted since he arrived, a key factor in his long tenure.

While he keeps a relatively low profile compared to other top coaches, O’Sullivan’s results speak loudly. Florida remains one of the toughest outs in the country thanks to his mix of talent development and tactical stability.

5. Tim Tadlock, Texas Tech – $1.83 Million

Tim Tadlock took over Texas Tech’s baseball program in 2013 and has kept it nationally relevant ever since. The Red Raiders have made four College World Series trips under Tadlock (2014, 2016, 2018, 2019), won three Big 12 regular season titles, and hosted multiple NCAA regionals. His teams regularly rank among the top 25 and are known for big offensive numbers and aggressive base running.

Before becoming head coach, Tadlock had a successful run as an NJCAA coach and one season as a Tech assistant. Since stepping into the lead role, he’s posted several 40+ win seasons and earned National Coach of the Year honors in both 2014 and 2018. Tech gave Tadlock a rolling 7-year contract in 2021 that pays about $1.83 million annually. The structure was designed to retain him long-term while allowing flexibility to match market shifts.

With over 70 MLB Draft picks and five first-rounders developed under his watch, Tadlock has built Tech into a consistent Big 12 contender. While a national title still eludes him, few programs have been as steady over the past decade.