The earning power of "big-time" college football
coaches -- generated from "huge compensation packages,"
bonuses and endorsements -- was examined in a front-page
cover story by Dodd & Pearson of USA TODAY. USA TODAY
obtained football coaches' salary information from 87 of the
112 Division I-A schools, and "[t]hough some schools
shielded the outside income that typically makes up 50% to
75% of a coach's salary, the picture that emerges is clear:
The symbol" for college football in '97 is the logos of
sports companies such as Nike, adidas and Reebok. But shoe
deals "are just one aspect of what has happened in the last
decade to coaches' contracts, now loaded with perks and
incentives that can push the total package to three times
that of the university president." Coaches will average
$140,000 in base salary this year and $208,000 in outside
income from radio/TV shows, public appearances and shoe or
apparel endorsements. Almost two dozen coaches have deals
exceeding $500,000. Among teams in this week's Top 25, head
coaches average $560,000, excluding performance bonuses.
Outside income ranges from $1,000 to Univ. of FL coach Steve
Spurrier's $1.8M. Also, most bonuses "reward on-field
performance of the team, while incentives tied to academics
are much rarer, and less lucrative." The piece also charts
estimated earnings of the Top 25 Div. I-A coaches, listing
base salary, estimated outside income related to athletics
and bonuses that can be earned (USA TODAY, 11/21).
