Coaches' Millions: Duke vs. Siena Pay Gap

In a compelling first-round NCAA Tournament clash, former guards Gerry McNamara and Jon Scheyer will meet as opposing head coaches. McNamara leads the Siena Saints, who are making their first tournament appearance in 16 years after winning the MAAC Tournament. They face the formidable No. 1 overall seed, Duke Blue Devils, coached by Scheyer.

Scheyer, a former Duke player and now in his fourth year as head coach, has guided the Blue Devils to favorited status in the tournament, aiming for the program's first national title since 2015. This matchup significantly highlights the financial gulf between a major program and a mid-major.

While Siena's exact coaching salary is undisclosed, MAAC coaches typically earn between $300,000 and $500,000 annually. Experts estimated McNamara's compensation between $400,000 and $600,000 upon his hiring in March 2024.

In stark contrast, Jon Scheyer's recent contract extension through the 2030-31 season places his annual compensation between $7 million and $8 million. This represents a 15 to 20-fold increase compared to McNamara's salary, with Scheyer's monthly earnings nearly matching McNamara's yearly income.

Scheyer's substantial pay positions him among college basketball's highest-paid coaches, rivaling figures like Bill Self and John Calipari. This reflects his rapid success and Duke's commitment to retaining him after leading the team to multiple ACC titles and a Final Four appearance. The article also notes that Kansas' Bill Self is the highest-paid coach at approximately $8.8 million, with his total package potentially exceeding $10 million annually.