You get what you pay for

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

In examining head coaching salaries for 2009 for an earlier post I was less-than-stunned to see that those salaries follow (or precede, depending on your perspective), almost exactly, program quality and conference prestige. The worst conferences, and more specifically the worst programs, pay the least. If you are in the coaching profession, what does it tell you that the head coach at Can't State earns substantially less than 200,000 dollars and earns the very least of 120 head coaches in D-1 football? It tells you that the MAC, and specifically Can't State, don't care about football. They maintain the program, just barely. Several other MAC programs, including UA, pay marginally better and are bottom-of-the-barrel. We're talking 120 programs here, and several MAC programs are at the absolute bottom of that salary list, and we should expect better than crappy football here? If UA is going to follow through on the investments already made in the football program here, they MUST signal that they mean business by making an impact hire and PAYING that person something in the 500-900K range. That is the range that starts to inch into college football head coaching salary respectability. Paying a salary in those figures sends out a crystal-clear signal that UA means it when it says that quality football is going to be a trademark of the future UA image. Coaches AND PLAYERS all around the country will take immediate notice. Prospective students will start to take notice. Word will quickly get out that UA is really committed to growing this program. It also will mean that if we hire the next Brady Hoke, he won't BOLT the first time a crappy SDSU comes sniffing. It will tell high-quality recruits that they are coming to a place where higher horizons have been set. Most importantly it will tell the MAC that we are serious. Recruits will come to know UA as the best of the MAC programs, with the potential for much much better. Other programs and conferences will take note. The program's next steps start with that setting of the right tone. Or, we can go the old tried and untrue route. Find some "hungry" kiddie coach and pay him the normal craptacular MAC 250-300K. He make suck, he may be great. It's an utter crapshoot. The very first year he recruits well and has a decent record we immediately begin preparing to lose the guy. And on and on we go. Small crowds, unspectacular coaching, middling play, the vicious cycle continues. What a crappy low-brow way to go. That's not good enough anymore, not if Luis and Tom want PAYING customers in those seats in the cold.Come on Luis and Tom, you're up. It's time. Get it right fellas.

[ZachTheZip]

Here are the MAC coaching salaries for 2009JD was the second lowest paid coach in the MAC. Akron has committed so much to athletics already, but it's all for naught if they won't pay for a good coach.$400k is a reasonable amount, and ahead of every MAC team but Temple.

[ZippyTuba11]

Here are the MAC coaching salaries for 2009JD was the second lowest paid coach in the MAC. Akron has committed so much to athletics already, but it's all for naught if they won't pay for a good coach.$400k is a reasonable amount, and ahead of every MAC team but Temple.

We also have one of the lowest paid assistant coaches payroll as well. I think this is nearly as important as the HC spot, as its usually these guys that spend the most time with each respective unit and teach the most.