College Athletics is a crazy and expensive world
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
Eugene, Oregon
March 9, 2017 10:27am CST
Eugene, Oregon is home to the University of Oregon, the "Fighting Ducks." I am not a sports fan, but odd news fascinates me.
Here is an example. Oregon got a new head coach for the football team this year. Willie Taggart, formerly at South Florida and Western Kentucky. Taggart hired an assistant coach named David Reaves, his assistant from Florida with a two year contract for $300,000.
Five days after he was hired, Reaves was arrested for driving under the influence and other charges. He had actually worked 26 hours. The university paid him $3750 for those hours, plus a $60,000 flat lump sum.
Taggart's first year salary is 2.9 million dollars and goes up from there to 3.5 million in his fifth year. Nike Corp is a huge influence here on hiring, firing and salaries.
These figures sound crazy to me, but are probably similar in your state. To people outside the US, this must seem outlandish, if not ridiculous.
7 people like this
8 responses
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Mar 17
That is crazy too, but this is not professional level sports. College players get paid nothing, but are well taken care of with scholarships, summer jobs, and so much more. The cost of coaching salaries is astronomical, not only in football, but basketball and others.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502491)
• Italy
9 Mar 17
@JamesHxstatic You are right and I think that it is too much, this craziness should stop.
@teamfreak16 (43602)
• Denver, Colorado
9 Mar 17
College football brings in so much money it's crazy. Especially a successful program like Oregon. His salary is nothing to them, really.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Mar 17
The academic side of Oregon gets lost in the athletics. The U of O is increasing tuition (again) and cutting 75 faculty positions, while the sports folks are fat and happy.
1 person likes this
@Fishmomma (11658)
• United States
10 Mar 17
I know Oregon has had many successful seasons in sports. Its terrible to see tuition going up again and less teachers. I'm sad to see teachers lose their positions the most, as that means some students don't get the quality education with more students in some of their classes.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17240)
• China
12 Mar 17
To be frank with you,I am stunned by the head coach's salaries-astronomical figure.The problem is if it is worth it.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
14 Mar 17
I think that it is a gross over payment for services rendered, no matter how many games are won.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
9 Mar 17
I am so not into sports. While we have been travelling every television screen in every restaurant is showing college basketball. I'm so not into sports.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Mar 17
I know. I find quite annoying as well.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189874)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Mar 17
To people outside the US it must seem very silly. And, yes, outlandish.
1 person likes this
