Biff Poggi: Net Worth| Billionaire| Hedge fund| Fired| Wife| Salary

Francis Xavier “Biff” Poggi has become one of the more fascinating figures in modern college football—not just for his coaching, but for his past in finance, his unconventional path, and how he blends mentorship, leadership, and competitive spirit. This article will explore his net worth, hedge fund days, his contract and salary as a coach, the circumstances of his firing at Charlotte, his personal life, and what his future might hold.

Who is Biff Poggi?

• Full name: Francis Xavier “Biff” Poggi.

• Born: June 6, 1959 (making him about 65 years old as of 2025).

• Origins: He was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He played football in college: initially at Pittsburgh, then at Duke.

• Early career: He coached at the high school level for many years, including at Gilman School in Maryland (OC/OL and later head coach), then at St. Frances Academy.

From Hedge Funds to Football Fields: The Financial Background

One of the more unique parts of Biff Poggi’s story is that alongside coaching, he built a hedge fund / investment business.

• In 1986, with encouragement and investment from his father-in-law, Joseph Nix, Poggi launched Samuel James Limited with $25,000.

• Over several decades, Samuel James grew significantly. By the time Poggi handed off day-to-day operations to former players (after many years), the firm was managing hundreds of millions of dollars.

This background is important, because it means Poggi’s net worth isn’t just derived from coaching — he has investment income, asset value, possibly passive earnings, etc.

Net Worth

Estimating someone’s net worth publicly is always approximate, but several credible sources converge around a similar figure for Poggi.

• Multiple sources list his net worth around US$10 million as of 2024-2025.

• Part of that net worth comes from the earnings of Samuel James, his hedge fund / investment firm; part comes from coaching salaries, supplements, bonuses, possibly investments and private wealth built up over years.

Thus, when speaking of “net worth” for Poggi, think of income streams including:

1. Investment / hedge fund returns / capital appreciation

2. Coaching salary + performance bonuses

3. Other sources (speaking, consulting, perhaps real estate or other business ventures).

Coaching Career & Salary

Poggi’s coaching career has several stages, each with different salary expectations.

• He spent many years coaching high school teams (Gilman School, St. Frances Academy). Salaries at those levels are much lower than college head coach pay, but he supplemented them via his finance business.

• In 2016, he took a role at Michigan as an analyst; later, in 2021-22, he was associate head coach at Michigan. Wikipedia+1

Charlotte 49ers Contract & Salary

• In 2022, Poggi was hired as head coach of the Charlotte 49ers with a five-year contract that runs through December 31, 2027.

• His salary under the Charlotte contract was US$1 million per year, split: $500,000 base salary, plus $500,000 from Athletic Foundation funds.

• His contract also included incentive and bonus provisions (for example, wins over ranked teams, conference championships, postseason bowls, etc.).

Fired at Charlotte

What happened?

• On November 18, 2024, Charlotte officially fired Biff Poggi as head coach after nearly two seasons.

• His overall college head coaching record at Charlotte was 6-16 (3-9 in his first season, 3-7 in his second before being fired with two games remaining).

Contractual implications and buyout

• His contract was set to expire in 2027. Under that contract, if he was fired without cause, Charlotte owed him the base salary for the remainder of his agreement.

• The buyout amount for Poggi was reported to be about US$1.3 million for the remainder of his contract.

Wife & Personal Life

• Poggi met his wife, Amy, at Duke University. ESPN.com

• Together, they have multiple children. Some sources say they have five children.

• His family background: Poggi grew up as the son of Italian immigrants. His father was a pharmacist in a low-income area, known for being generous (extending credit etc.). He had a rougher youth (skipping classes, getting in fights), but eventually got a scholarship that changed his course.

Is He a Billionaire?

No credible source suggests Biff Poggi is a billionaire. In fact:

• His net worth is estimated at about US$10 million.

• While his hedge fund Samuel James managed “hundreds of millions of dollars,” that refers to assets under management (AUM), not personal wealth. AUM doesn’t translate directly into what the manager owns.

So, as of now, he is not in the billionaire category.

Highlights & Controversies

Some additional interesting or controversial aspects about Poggi’s journey:

• At Gilman School, over nearly two decades (1996–2015), he won 13 state titles.

• At St. Frances Academy, he not only coached but also funded scholarships, room & board for players, etc. He took on a social mission as well as a coaching one.

• One reported controversy: some local teams refused to play St. Frances under his leadership, citing “safety concerns” or complaints about recruiting from out of state. Some believe race or resources played a role.

• His style is very “hands-on,” often unorthodox. For example: sideline attire, investing in the academic/life outcomes of players, prioritizing character, etc.

What Happened After Charlotte & Where He Is Now

• After being fired in November 2024, Poggi moved on. According to sources, in 2025 he rejoined Michigan as associate head coach under Sherrone Moore, the same role he held in 2021-22.

• His future likely involves continued coaching, mentorship roles, possibly administration, or even returning to programs where he can make structural changes (given his history).

Salary Summary & Contract Details

Putting It All Together: How Did He Accumulate Wealth?

Here are the components that contribute to Poggi’s wealth and net worth:

1. Samuel James Limited — the hedge fund/investment business: This is perhaps the biggest foundation. Miz initial capital ($25,000) multiplied over decades, managing large sums, investments, etc.

2. Coaching salaries — especially at the college head coach level (Charlotte) and associate head coach roles at Michigan, etc.

3. Bonuses / incentives from his coaching contracts.

4. Personal investments, assets outside of coaching/investment fund possibly (though less public data here).

5. Reputation / brand — speaking, influence, maybe some media or consulting; plus philanthropic reputation which can sometimes lead to financial opportunities or favorable arrangements.

Final Assessment: Strengths, Weaknesses & Future

• Strengths: Poggi’s blend of financial acumen and coaching is rare; his ability to mentor, develop young players, and invest in their off-field success gives him a platform more than just wins & losses. Also, his financial base gives him flexibility other coaches might not have.

• Weaknesses: At the college head coach level, his record at Charlotte was underwhelming (6-16), and that ultimately was what led to his dismissal. Also, turning around a struggling program takes time—and political, recruiting, institutional support matters hugely.

• Future prospects: Likely to continue in roles where he can take advantage of his dual experience (finance + coaching). Possibly more mentoring, leadership roles, or returning to college coaching but with more support. Also might play a role in sports administration, fundraising, or perhaps venture capital / investments bridging sports and business.

Conclusion

Biff Poggi is not a billionaire. His net worth is estimated around US$10 million—substantial, but not on the level of billionaires. That said, his story is powerful. From humble beginnings, via finance and football, he built a life of impact: influencing young athletes, shaping programs, and demonstrating that success isn’t one-dimensional.

His firing at Charlotte was a setback, but not the end. With his return to Michigan, Poggi still has a chance to leave a lasting legacy—on the field, in players’ lives, and perhaps in how sports programs think about their role beyond wins.