Bill Belichick topped Forbes’ 2012 ranking of the highest-paid coaches in sports, with an estimated annual salary of $7.5 million. It was a cross-sport ranking—not an NFL-only list—and eight of its top ten were NFL coaches. The figures were reported estimates, not verified payroll records.
Who was the highest-paid NFL coach in 2012?
Belichick, then head coach of the New England Patriots, ranked first at a Forbes-reported $7.5 million annually. Contemporary accounts by CBS Boston and CBS Sports, both published May 16, 2012, reported that figure as an estimate of his annual salary.
What was the Forbes list of highest-paid coaches in 2012?
The Forbes ranking covered coaches across sports. The entries below are the annual amounts attributed to the list in the contemporary CBS reports; they should not be read as confirmed contract salaries.
| Coach | Sport and team context in 2012 | Reported annual salary estimate | Reported position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Belichick | NFL, New England Patriots | $7.5 million | 1st |
| Mike Shanahan | NFL, Washington Redskins | $7 million | Tied |
| Doc Rivers | NBA, Boston Celtics | $7 million | Tied |
| Jeff Fisher | NFL, St. Louis Rams | $7 million | Tied |
| Pete Carroll | NFL, Seattle Seahawks | $7 million | Tied |
| Gregg Popovich | NBA, San Antonio Spurs | $6 million | Tied |
| Lovie Smith | NFL, Chicago Bears | $6 million | Tied |
| Ken Whisenhunt | NFL, Arizona Cardinals | $5.75 million | Tied |
| Mike Tomlin | NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers | $5.75 million | Tied |
| Andy Reid | NFL, Philadelphia Eagles | $5.5 million | 10th |
Eight of the top ten were NFL coaches, according to CBS Sports’ 2012 account. The list therefore shows NFL coaches dominating the top of a broader sports ranking; it does not represent a complete ranking of NFL coaches alone.
#1 Best Overall
How much did Bill Belichick make in 2012?
The contemporary Forbes figure reported by CBS was $7.5 million per year. That is the amount attributed to Forbes’ estimate, not an established record of what Belichick was paid under his contract.
Were the salaries confirmed?
No public disclosure of Belichick’s contract salary is established in the contemporary coverage. In a 2012 NFL.com commentary, Gregg Rosenthal questioned the estimate’s basis and wrote: “The terms of Belichick’s contract has been a closely guarded secret for years. No one even knows when his contract ends, much less what he gets paid.” NFL.com said Forbes had referred to pundits who believed Belichick earned more than $7 million and compared that view with former Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren’s salary. That account underscores uncertainty; it does not establish that Belichick’s actual pay was either higher or lower than the estimate.
The distinction matters for the whole list: the reviewed contemporary reports do not establish a consistent, comprehensive estimation method for every coach. Annual estimates are useful for understanding what Forbes reported, but they are not interchangeable with disclosed contract terms or audited compensation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the NFC West comparison does—and does not—show
NFL.com reported in May 2012 that San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh was below division rivals Jeff Fisher and Pete Carroll, each listed at $7 million, and Ken Whisenhunt, listed at about $5.8 million. The report cited a San Francisco Chronicle account that Harbaugh had signed a five-year, $25 million contract in 2011. A contract’s stated total and an annual salary estimate in a ranking are different measures, so they should not be treated as directly equivalent. The comparison also does not establish that salary reflected coaching quality or performance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
