Hot Topic (4/3): Should college coaches at public institutions be paid million dollar salaries as Americans struggle to make ends meet?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

As reported by FoxNews.com: 

When Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear announced in February that his state was taking nearly $3 billion in federal stimulus cash, he described the decision as necessary to save jobs, preserve "quality of life" and a "strategic investment ... to position Kentucky for the future."

Little did Beshear know that two months later, as teachers, police and other municipal workers breathed a collective sigh of relief that their jobs had been saved — at least for now — the state's primary institution for higher learning would "invest" $32 million in a well-traveled but highly successful basketball coach.

John Calipari, who for nine seasons had pushed the University of Memphis to the pinnacle of college basketball, was introduced Wednesday as just short of a savior for a University of Kentucky program that — by local standards — had fallen on hard times.

"I do not walk on water," Calipari told reporters and eager alumni who had gathered at a packed news conference in Lexington. But his proven ability to walk on hardwood is everything the university's administration asked for, and it decided Calipari was worthy of an eight-year, $31.65 million investment — about $4 million a year.

* * *

What do you think?  Should millions of dollars be spent by states on college athletics, especially in light of the current tough economic times? 

Or do states have their priorities all mixed up?  What would you do if you were in charge?

[jrdnjstn00]

No way that's a ridiculous amount  of money for a coach! They can spend that money or other things needed.

I live in Austin,TX, home of University of Texas. I have no idea what Mack Brown makes, which I would bet it is one million or more but I read in the paper that the new assitant coach is making $900,000. Granted that the games played here are always sold out and the stadium holds about 92,000+ people, that's alot of money their bringing in on just the Longhorn football team. I bet alot of that money could be used elsewhere then paying the coaches that amount

[PamR]

It does seem like a crazy amount of money for coaching, however, the colleges and universities with big sports programs raise millions for their schools through those programs, so I suppose that it's money well-spent in some ways.

[sassyandy124]

    I think it really depends on where the money came from. Yes Kentucky is a public university, BUT I know that many alumni, boosters etc... donate specifically to the sports programs. Often it's the sportthat the school is 'known' for. IF the money came from boosters or a private donor than there should not be a question of how they spend it. However, IF they took say, gov't funds meant for other things and used that then that would be a problem. A lot of sport minded universities and colleges HAVE to stay competitive in sports or they will lose many of their financial backers. That would hurt the whole school. It may not be 'right' to some but that's the way it is.

[forsythia_18]

If there's a demand for the entertainment (sports, theater, movies) than they deserve to keep the money.  Notice how this becomes a "problem" and an issue worth talking about when the economy goes bad.  Just because you're jealous doesn't mean you have to punish the people who earn a lot of money.  Then you're just asking for socialism.  It's part of living in a capitalistic country.  Get over it.

[PestPatti]

 

  It's called competitive wages in their field.   It's the same in any chosen field.   You may not like what they earn, but its their employers decision to pay them that amount of money. 

[luckcharm]

I think the amount of money everyone involved in sports gets paid is outrageously stupid.

I would have to say that I think if a school isn't able to pay the other staff at the institute without getting aid then they probably shouldn't be going out and paying that much to just one employee... I don't care what position he holds. 

[piscesgrl]

No, it's ridiculous. He should get a teachers salary. Or, bettter yet, teachers should get his salary!

[chesiretuff]

I think it should be curbed a bit.  Especially in these times. 

A good sports team brings in lots of money to a college, so they need top of the line coaches to get the good teams.  But I think million dollar salaries are overboard.  Let's scale it back a bit.

[njpmom06]

People have been all over this one coach getting so much money, yes it is a lot, for a basketball coach.  However, the football coaches at these same schools already make this amount, and no one ever jumped up and down about that.  

I personally think we pay all associated with sports too much money, millions of dollars to throw a ball around.  However, like a PP said, these schools get big bucks from donations and boosters, so that is how they are able to do it and they need a winning coach to get those donations. 

[Junebug926]

Hmmm...imagine what our schools could be like if teachers were paid like this. Their jobs would be so competitive!