Joel Huerto is managing editor of One Man Fastbreak.net and a sports consultant with Opposing Views.com. He has been a member of the sports media for almost 20 years, which included nine years as a news editor at the Los Angeles Times. He will cover a variety of topics, from coach and player profiles to hot-button issues. Joel is also known as "maniLA ice" for his cool demeanor in the friendly confines of the YMCA hardwood. He loves to shoot the "tear drop" and prefers to play zone to hide his deficiencies on defense.
Since Jim Calhoun's salary has recently become a heavy topic of discussion, I thought it would be interesting to find out exactly how much money the high-profile college basketball coaches make in a season. The unofficial numbers were taken from USA Today, Askmen.com and Americasbestonline.net, so take them for what they're worth. Expect President Barack Obama to target these fat cats, who all make well over the $200,000 tax threshold, to help stimulate the economy.
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke ($800,000) — His base salary is $800,000 per year, but escalates to $1.5 million with compensations and incentives. But Coach K should not have to worry about his job since the court at Cameron Indoor Stadium bears his name. Krzyzewski has a lifetime contract with the university he has basically funded for the past 25 years.
John Calipari, Memphis ($1.3 million) — John Chaney would kill for this kind of salary. And imagine how much money Coach Cal would have made had the Tigers hung on to win the national championship last season. Kansas' Mario Chalmers cost him millions.
Roy Williams, North Carolina ($1.4 million) — A little surprised he does not make more since he brought the Tar Heels out of the doldrums during the Matt Doherty days and punctuated his return to Chapel Hill by winning the national championship in 2005. He also contributes $200,000 to a scholarship fund that allows students to attend North Carolina without going into debt.
Jim Calhoun, Connecticut ($1.5 million) — The way Calhoun reacted when he was asked about his salary, I was a little surprised how average his annual income was compared to his peers. His medical benefits must be off the charts.
Bill Self, Kansas ($1.6 million) — Mainly responsible for rebuilding the Illinois program and re-energizing the post-Roy Williams Jayhawks, winning the NCAA title last season. Could be in a line for a raise in a couple of years.
Tom Izzo, Michigan State, and Thad Matta, Ohio State ($1.7 million) — Judd Heathcote's former assistant has done well for himself, and has consistently put together solid teams year in and year out. He took the Spartans to three straight Final Fours from 1999 to 2001, winning it all in 2000. Izzo may be the only coach in the state of Michigan who will not need a stimulus package. Matta won the lottery in 2007 when he scored Greg Oden, Mike Conley and Daequan Cook as part of a freshman class that drove the Buckeyes to the national championship game.
Rick Barnes, Texas ($1.8 million) — Hard to believe Barnes has been coaching Texas for 10 seasons. Hard to believe a coach making this much cash has only one Final Four appearance and zero national championships.
Tubby Smith, Minnesota ($2 million) — Basically, Tubby is reaping the benefits of his body of work. Has led his teams to 20-plus victories in 16 of his 18 seasons. Also gets extra kudos from being the lone African-American college coach on this list.
Billy Gillispie, Kentucky ($2.3 million) — Things can't be better for the 48-year-old bachelor. He moved into a two-acre, million-dollar home in Jessamine County, which includes six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, a wet bar, wine cellar and an exercise room. His favorite place in the house is the lower level where he likes to entertain his players. One person Gillispie will not be entertaining at his pad is the Worldwide Leader's Jeanine Edwards. Billy is still seething from Edward's "dumb" questions.
Billy Donovan, Florida ($3.5 million) — Winning back-to-back national championships can definitely improve someone's portfolio. However, Donovan should pull an Obama and spread the wealth a little bit. He owes a lot of his success to Joakim Noah, Al Horford and Corey Brewer, so it is only fitting that he give each of them $1 million, which still leaves him $500,000 to play with.
The Roy Williams numbers are incorrect. This is what his actual package was in 2006. He indicated on Friday that he has twice turned down having it renegotiated so the numbers should be close to what they are now.
$260,000 University pay
$347,000 Learfield/Tar Heel Sports Marketing
$500,000 NIKE
$25,000 expense account
$780,000 Rams Club (not guaranteed)
$1,912,300 per year
Posted by: THF | March 02, 2009 at 07:23 AM