You Get What You Pay For: The Sequel

Thanks to a DD poster we have more proof that UCLA pays our football coaches below average compensation packages, according to a study by USA Today.  The average in Div 1A program pays their coach $950,000 a year(not counting incentives). Karl Dorrell gets a combined package worth $881,000 (not counting incentives).  That is, of course, nice, but BELOW average.  We noted weeks ago a study done by Indy.com on the subject.  “You Get What You Pay For,” is the most viewed and emailed post on our site.

We have new data now.  Here is a little whopper from Karl Dorrell’s actual contract: KD gets a $500,000 bonus if he completes the 2010 season as head coach.  KD gets that amount prorated if he is terminated before 2010.  Makes you wonder if KD apologists and lackeys aren’t pushing for more time because of the extra juice. KD’s corporation gets $350,000 a year for the rights to use his name in licensing.  He is guaranteed that through 2010, in addition to his salary of $180,000, if he is fired before then.  Nice.  Why would KD EVER want to leave this job.  This is cushy.  If we go 5-7 that would pay Karl $176,000 per win. Not Bad!!

Still, the USA Today article confirms that UCLA pays for what it gets, mediocrity.  It doesn’t mean that we “underpay” Karl Dorrell. That could not be further from the truth.  KD was vastly underqualified for the job to begin with.  He was in way over his head and set up for failure.  It was an experiment that is turning out to cost us more than his salary and incentives because we are losing revenues and all manner of interaction with the university that translates into revenues.  

When USA Today decided to do their own study they got some information that Indy.com was unable to get.  That included salaries from private institutions.  Pete Carroll, we now know, gets $2.78 million.  Southern Cal is more than likely generating that much in revenue and more (brand recognition, and all that goes with it) with PC every year. 

Commentary: Whether you think these coaches are overpaid or not, or whether you agree with the USA Today article, one thing is certain.  Many of these top football schools bring in MOST of their athletic department revenues from football.  It’s not even close folks.  Although the article states that “80% to 95% of Division I-A athletic departments still rely on either the university’s general fund or student fees to balance the budget.”  What they don’t mention is that without football revenues that number would probably be 100%, AND, the amount of money needed from the general fund and student fees would be much much more, probably killing many sports programs entirely. 

Interesting Notes On KD’s Contract

• Bonus of $50,000 for any of the Coach of the Year awards. 
• Bonus for outright Pac-10 championship is $50,000. Co-Champion is $40,000. Oh well. Not going to see that.
• BCS Bowl appearance bonus is $50,000.  National Championshp game bonus is $100,000.  Winning the championship game gets him an additional $150,000. Whoa lets not get crazy! That’s funny.
• For a non-BCS bowl game that pays UCLA $1M, KD gets a bonus of $25,000. Otherwise, any bowl game gets him a cool $15,000 bonus.  Hawaii Bowl here we come!!

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