To protect their prized non-profit status, big-time NCAA schools are forced to spend the millions of dollars they reap, otherwise, it appears they're making too much money.
One way this money is spent is through the building of opulent facilities. The other way it's spent is by paying elite college coaches by the Brinks truck.
And since college coaches are represented by agents, it's no surprise to see college coaches' salaries balloon like they have.
Jim Harbaugh is one of those beneficiaries. Michigan will pay Harbaugh between $5-$7 million dollars this fall to lead a team that, at best, will finish with three or four losses.
Is he worth that kind of money? No. To Harbaugh's credit, he realizes he's overpaid.
From Mark Snyder of Freep.com:
Asked if he's worth that much, Harbaugh said "no." Then, when LeDuff suggested he give it back, Harbaugh explained.
"Naw. I like making a buck just like the next guy. I'm not doing five times as much work as somebody else or doing more work than someone who's not the head football coach at the University of Michigan so, to answer your question, honestly, I would have to say no."
LeDuff asked if Harbaugh would take a pay cut to set a precedent for the other major coaches.
"No, fair question," he said. "But as I said, willing to work for it."
Now, it's not like Harbaugh is the only overpaid coach in America, and there aren't many rational people out there who would seek their own pay cut. But, I think it's worth contrasting coaches' ballooning salaries against the words of Woody Hayes, one of the least-compensated coaches of his time:
One thing is still clear: They don't make 'em like they used to.
