A major victory for former volunteer college coaches has been finalized. A federal judge in California has given the green light to a $303 million class-action settlement against the NCAA, bringing long-awaited compensation to thousands who worked without pay.

The settlement covers 7,718 volunteer assistants who served across all sports except baseball between March 1, 2019, and July 1, 2023. Under NCAA rules at the time, these coaches were barred from receiving any salary or benefits—a policy that effectively fixed their wages at zero. The NCAA rescinded that rule in January 2023, and the lawsuit followed just two months later, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.

Judge William B. Shubb approved the settlement on Monday, ensuring each class member receives at least $5,000. The average payout is expected to be around $27,000 per coach, with some individuals potentially receiving much more depending on their specific circumstances.

How much each coach gets will depend on the school, sport, and years they served. The calculation is based on the pay given to the lowest-compensated coach working on the same team during the same period, providing a fair benchmark for compensation.

In addition to these payments, five class representatives will each receive $25,000 service awards for their role in bringing the case forward. The plaintiffs' attorneys were awarded a total of $91 million in fees.

This settlement follows a similar one approved in September for volunteer baseball coaches, marking a significant shift in how the NCAA handles unpaid coaching roles. For the thousands of former volunteers, this decision finally recognizes the value of their contributions to college sports.