Proposed bill could force huge pay cuts for most FBS football coaches
For decades, college sports have been dominated by billion-dollar TV deals, million-dollar coaches, and student-athletes fighting for scraps. Now, that power dynamic is being challenged by one of the biggest legislative moves in college athletics history. It's called the Restore College Sports Act.
Salary Caps on Coaches Could Rebalance the Power
At the heart of the bill is a salary cap that would limit coaches' pay to no more than 10 times the cost of attendance at their respective universities. It's a direct shot at the soaring coach salaries in football and basketball. For context, Georgia's Kirby Smart is currently the highest-paid coach in college football and would take a staggering $12.42 million pay cut from his $13.28 million annual salary. Clemson's Dabo Swinney and Texas' Steve Sarkisian would also be hit hard, facing reductions of $11.1 million and $10.6 million, respectively.
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This isn't just about money but about equity. As over 200 FBS coaches could be impacted, the bill sends a clear message that the era of unchecked coaching payrolls may be coming to an end.
New Governing Body, New Rules for Athletes
The bill would also strip power from the NCAA and create the American College Sports Association (ACSA), a new federal body that would oversee college sports. This agency would be led by a commissioner appointed by the President Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
What's more, student-athletes would gain real economic power. Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals would be regulated and revenue, including broadcast money, would be shared equally among all athletes at each institution. Transfer rules would be lifted, giving players the same freedom coaches have long enjoyed.
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The Bottom Line
The Restore College Sports Act isn't just legislation. It's a referendum on how college athletics should work. It challenges deep-rooted inequalities and offers fans a chance to support a fairer system. The fight is just beginning, but for those who believe college sports should be about more than profits, this could bring real changes.
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