OT - Question about college coaches and athlete compensation
I was having a discussion with my friend after we saw that that Billy Donovan had gotten a contract extension worth 2.2 million per year. I was arguing that coaches and students are similar in the fact that both get "scholarships" since both can take classes free of charge. She argued that the students are getting degrees not just free classes but I don't agree with that point, since students aren't guaranteed degrees, just that the classes are free. So if students and coaches both get access to free classes but coaches are getting paid millions of dollars, the NCAA and universities can't really point to the scholarship as a fair form of compensation to the students. But the main question I have for the board is was I correct in my assertation that coaches can take classes for free? I'm not one to be too prideful to admit I'm wrong plus I'm interested as this may change my point of view on the whole athlete compensation thing (but probably not). Thanks guys.
March 30th, 2014 at 10:25 AM ^
Even if your logic were sound, coaches are not full-time students. Gotta get up to 12 credits for that. Within your framework that is the difference.
March 30th, 2014 at 10:26 AM ^
Also, any staff member can take classes at the university. That doesn't mean they have the same status as any student, athlete or not.
March 30th, 2014 at 10:36 AM ^
is there anything stopping coaches from taking 12 credits other than the fact that they don't want to?
March 30th, 2014 at 10:29 AM ^
IMO, removing the barriers erected to keep players from profiting from their individual popularity would do the most to align value generated and compensation.
March 30th, 2014 at 10:27 AM ^
March 30th, 2014 at 10:30 AM ^
It's not like there is a universal law that university employees are allowed to take classes tuition free. I am sure that it is true at many universities, but not by any means all of them. I know that some schools allow the immediate families of employees to attend tuition-free as well.
Obviously, a coach could get something like that written into his or her contract without much difficulty at all.
March 30th, 2014 at 10:54 AM ^
Coaching is pretty much year round. I'm sure what little free time they have, they might want to spend it with their family.
March 30th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
That was pretty lame.
March 30th, 2014 at 12:13 PM ^
Billy Donovan's average salary will be $3.7 million under the new extension. Sorry to nitpick.
March 30th, 2014 at 12:27 PM ^
March 30th, 2014 at 12:35 PM ^
I've been wondering lately, is there anything keeping schools from paying players after they graduate? If Michigan just decided to say "Hey Denard, thank you for all youy gave to this program, here take this $250,000 as a gift" could the NCAA do anything?