Open Season

Sport, without spin, from around the world. Matthew Hall considers the issues behind the headlines and tells the stories that others don't.

Who wants to be a millionaire?

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17 November 2009 | 11:00 - By Matthew Hall

College football is big business in the United States, especially for the coaching staff [GETTY]
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As the United States economy begins to think about a recession recovery, many college football coaches are sitting pretty.

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I hate to complain and dare not invite you to do the same (Oh, OK, go on then) but I fear I'm SO in the wrong business.

It's probable that we are ALL are in the wrong business.

An extensive report in USA Today has revealed that in the United States, university sports team coaches are making huge money.

Please note: not big money but HUGE money.

Multiple millions type of huge.

The USA Today report, which has to be read to be believed, claims that at least 25 head coaches for college football teams (that's American football) make USD$2 million or more per year.

Assistant coaches – and in American football these can number many on each team – can earn up to USD$1million.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, that English Literature professor at the same university? He or she is probably pulling in around USD$115,000.

Tertiary education in the US is being hit hard by a downsized economy as many state governments cut funding. Donations and endowments, usually significant revenue streams for colleges in the US, are also down.

Jobs are cut along with academic projects and courses. Enrolments too.

Sports, though, continues to spend.

It seems even being an average assistant coach of a football team pays big – USA Today discovered "at least 66 football assistants, including more than two dozen in the Southeastern Conference, make $300,000 or more"... and perks are commonplace... "multiyear and rollover deals, supplemental income from TV and radio, performance bonuses, retention bonuses, cars, complimentary tickets and country club memberships."

College sports in the US is – bizarrely to some foreign observers – big business.

Attendances at some football games rival the NFL while broadcasters CBS and
ESPN pay big money for television rights deals for college games.

Why? Years after graduating people still cheer for their college team and watch the games. For the guys writing the cheques, it's a simple equation and easy as your A-B-Cs.

The wrong business?

Maybe it's not too late to go back to school to learn how to coach American football.

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