[NU Sports] Coaching Merry-go-round (fwd)

[Mike Nolan]

> Hardly call it a "consolation"--think of how much their buyouts amount to  
> while playing golf or tanning at the beach.  Not sure  what percentage  of their 
> remaining liability is normally paid--but even where the coach  effectively 
> quits on their own accord, they seem to get at least 50% (Nolan  Richardson 
> comes to mind)--I suspect in the absence of a buyout clause, they get  most of 
> their money--While it may hurt a bit psychologically, getting several  million 
> to do nothing or possibly coach elsewhere isn't a bad deal and  shouldn't 
> dissuade someone from coaching

If you're used to making (and possibly spending) $1 million or more a 
year, with lots of perks, a $3 million buyout really doesn't last all 
that long.  

Start by chopping about half of that off due to taxes.  

Many coaches have set up foundations or support programs for kids, and
those foundations and programs may not get funded if the ex-coach is just
out 'getting a tan'.  

They still have mortgages and real estate taxes to pay (assuming they
don't move out of town, which might actually increase costs in the short
run), most of the time they have to go buy a car because the one they 
were getting as the coach goes back to the dealership.  

Oh, and the big fees for speaking engagements tend to dry up after you're 
fired, too.   Barnett was getting $25K to talk to a bunch of managers for 
an hour or two about motivation, I doubt he commands half that fee these 
days, if any groups even want him.

No, I'm not crying over Shula or any of his ilk being fired, and they
aren't headed to the poorhouse overnight or living on Macaroni & Cheese, 
but they don't take those jobs as sports commentators simply for their 
health.

BTW, did anybody notice the article in USA Today on coaches salaries?
Fitz wasn't on the list because Northwestern is a private school,
but on a dollars-per-win basis, I think Iowa's coach rivaled Bobby
Bowden this year. 
--
Mike Nolan