It turns out that winning two National Championships in a three year span will get you paid, BIG. LSU’s Jay Johnson has signed an extension to become the country’s highest paid college baseball coach.
Wilson Alexander of The Advocate in Baton Rouge broke the big news stating, “LSU Baseball coach Jay Johnson is set to receive a new contract that will pay him more than 3 million per year after winning his second national title.
Alexander quote tweeted the original post by saying, “LSU is making Jay Johnson the highest paid head coach in the country. His new deal will top the 3 million per year that Tony Vitello has at Tennessee.”
The structure of the new deal is as follows: In 2026 Coach Johnson will make 3.05 million dollars. After every season there is a 100K escalator until it reaches 3.65 million in 2032.
Coach Johnson was previously making just under 1.8 million. With Coach Johnson’s raise there are now five coaches in college baseball that are making more than 2 million dollars and they all reside in the SEC: Jay Johnson, as previously mentioned Tony Vitello, Tim Corbin at 2.4 million with Vanderbilt, and Jim Schlossnagle at 2.2 million with Texas.
Furthermore Coach Johnson’s 3-million+ would rank him as 11th highest MLB manager salary according to Bolavip. It is yet another bright LED sign that the game of College Baseball is growing. The fact that powerhouse programs are not only committed to the increased number of scholarships that we saw in the recent House Settlement and are willing to pay their coaches handsomely is tremendous for the future of college baseball.
Some staff members are receiving raises as well.
Recruiting Coordinator Josh Jordan was rumored to be the favorite for the Duke head coaching job earlier this offseason. Jordan received a 175,000 dollar raise to a whopping 485K per year over the next three seasons. For reference, UCLA Head Coach John Savage signed an extension after taking UCLA to the College World Series this season. Savage is making 600-grand annually.
It’s safe to say that Coach Johnson and LSU brass value what Coach Jordan brings to the table. It is self explanatory but both of the Natty teams have had two completely different identities and roster building strategies within the 3-year span. 2023 had big time star power with Dylan Crews in his Junior season and after acquiring Paul Skenes and Tommy White in the transfer portal mixed with hometown heroes. And in 2025 it was a team that was mostly in-house developed talents collectively playing their best baseball in June.
Director of Baseball Operations Josh Simpson also received a 50,000 dollar raise, which increases his annual salary to 255K.
It turns out that winning two National Championships in a three year span will get you paid, BIG. LSU’s Jay Johnson has signed an extension to become the country’s highest paid college baseball coach.
Wilson Alexander of The Advocate in Baton Rouge broke the big news stating, “LSU Baseball coach Jay Johnson is set to receive a new contract that will pay him more than 3 million per year after winning his second national title.
Alexander quote tweeted the original post by saying, “LSU is making Jay Johnson the highest paid head coach in the country. His new deal will top the 3 million per year that Tony Vitello has at Tennessee.”
The structure of the new deal is as follows: In 2026 Coach Johnson will make 3.05 million dollars. After every season there is a 100K escalator until it reaches 3.65 million in 2032.
Coach Johnson was previously making just under 1.8 million. With Coach Johnson’s raise there are now five coaches in college baseball that are making more than 2 million dollars and they all reside in the SEC: Jay Johnson, as previously mentioned Tony Vitello, Tim Corbin at 2.4 million with Vanderbilt, and Jim Schlossnagle at 2.2 million with Texas.
Furthermore Coach Johnson’s 3-million+ would rank him as 11th highest MLB manager salary according to Bolavip. It is yet another bright LED sign that the game of College Baseball is growing. The fact that powerhouse programs are not only committed to the increased number of scholarships that we saw in the recent House Settlement and are willing to pay their coaches handsomely is tremendous for the future of college baseball.
Some staff members are receiving raises as well.
Recruiting Coordinator Josh Jordan was rumored to be the favorite for the Duke head coaching job earlier this offseason. Jordan received a 175,000 dollar raise to a whopping 485K per year over the next three seasons. For reference, UCLA Head Coach John Savage signed an extension after taking UCLA to the College World Series this season. Savage is making 600-grand annually.
It’s safe to say that Coach Johnson and LSU brass value what Coach Jordan brings to the table. It is self explanatory but both of the Natty teams have had two completely different identities and roster building strategies within the 3-year span. 2023 had big time star power with Dylan Crews in his Junior season and after acquiring Paul Skenes and Tommy White in the transfer portal mixed with hometown heroes. And in 2025 it was a team that was mostly in-house developed talents collectively playing their best baseball in June.
Director of Baseball Operations Josh Simpson also received a 50,000 dollar raise, which increases his annual salary to 255K.
