OT: Does a top coach cost $36 million

[mdanger007]

According to ESPN, John Calipari signed a new contract (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=6708023) worth $36.5 million. Including base salary and incentives, that's $3.4 million per. If that's what a successful coach is worth, do you think a school like UNM can afford to keep Alford once he starts getting the success we all expect? Or do coaches have other considerations that add value to their job besides salary. In other words, how do you keep a great coach, but not shell out such a huge paycheck?

EDIT: Headline should say "cost" not "coast"

[Bloo]

EDIT: Headline should say "cost" not "coast"

Fixed.

[JCB Lobo]

Success attracts more success. I would assume that if the Lobos reach the places we expect and can see Coach Alford leading us too then that would mean the Lobos would have even more support and finances coming into the program. We may not be Kentucky but Im sure we could afford to bring him up to the 2million dollar range if and when we reach that level of success we are seeking.

[bgupton]

I agree with JCB. You look at schools like Butler which are smaller then us and they have schools knocking at the door trying to get their coach and he is staying put. Sometimes it is about the money, the program, the city you never know but you also got to think in a worse case scenario if you go to the final 4 or elite 8 and lose a coach like Alford to another school you suddenly have a lot of interest from a LOT of coaches to come in unlike at a time when McKay left and trying to bring in a huge coach wasnt the most feasable.

[LoneLobo]

yes.

Not ours though.

[loboray]

Money is no object for the Kentucky program. They are positioning themselves to stay ahead of Louisville and their large new arena. Money nor NCAA rules will get in the way of their objectives. Hence the hiring of Calipari and the new contract.

[LoboDogg]

How many National Championships has Cal brought to KY??? :oh:

[LoboDogg]

Plus Kentucky has 14 billion dollar budget shortfall, why are they even paying Calipari a base salary? The 400K is only 10 percent of his contract? Tell him to stick it and he can work for 3.6/year.

[txlobo95]

How many National Championships has Cal brought to KY??? :oh:

how long has he been there? How many did Dean Smith have in all those years at UNC?

outside of Wooden, NC's are extremely elusive for mere "mortal" coaches. Coach Knight had 3 in 30+ years?

[dcrowley]

Only if you can afford $36M