College football coaching salaries, podcast conversations about pay, buyouts, over- and underpayment

The annual compensation package for college football coaches was released by USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday, and there’s a lot to discuss.

The first obvious trend uncovered this year is that salaries continue to explode exponentially and show no signs of slowing down. Georgia’s Kirby Smart is at the top with more than $13 million per season, but there are plenty of others making eight figures.

As wages rise, these deals also come with major acquisitions. Georgia would owe Smart more than $100 million if the school released him at the end of this season. Kalen DeBoer, Dabo Swinney, Steve Sarkisian and Mike Norvell are also among the biggest payouts if schools cut ties with them for no reason.

Despite so much money being spent, many trainers are underpaid. The pair includes UNLV’s Barry Odom and Indiana’s Curt Cignetti. And there are some who are overpaid, starting with Florida’s Billy Napier and Alabama-Birmingham’s Trent Dilfer.

USA TODAY Sports’ Paul Myerberg and Dan Wolken discuss these topics and more in a special edition of College Football Fix.

MORE COACHES COMPENSATION COVERAGE:

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College football coaching salaries podcast: Buyouts, overpaid, underpaid