While we are thinking of potential DCs, let's look at the Benjamins

Submitted by iawolve on

Since we have a bit of time and DCs are a hot topic, I looked around at some publicly available competitive salary information in regards to names floating around as well as some interesting comps since they are new DCs which should reflect the market:

 

Greg Robinson: $270,000

Jeff Casteel WVU: $320,000 

Chuck Heater UF: $305,000 (as a DB coach!!!)

 

New DCs or other DCs

Vance Bedford UL: $300,000 (ex-UM, new DC with Charlie Strong)

Vic Koenning UI: $325,000 (new DC brought in this year to rescue the defense)

Teryl Austin  UF: $440,000 (the new DC, ex-UM)

Todd Grantham UGA: $750,000 (new DC brought in this year to rescue the defense)

Justin Wilcox UT: $600,000 (new DC brought in by new coach Dooley)

 

You could continue this with a number of data points, but what is interesting to me is that Gainsville, Knoxville, Athens, Urbana-Champaign, Morgantown or Louisville do not have higher costs of living than Ann Arbor which further exacerbates how out of the range we are on the pay scale without even considering the really high salaries like Monte Kiffin at $1.2M/yr. It is striking that a first year DC like Bedford makes more than GERG. Casteel would be a bump to $400k, just to break even (!) if you use a cost of living calculator for Ann Arbor and Morgantown. Heater needs $350k using similar metrics to break even. Additionally, the big name turnaround guys seem to demand a bigger bump still. 

Based on the above, we have a more basic problem than just finding candidates. We need a paradigm shift regarding how we pay coordinators and the assistant coaches or it seems doubtful that we will be able to assemble a NC quality staff. The UM name goes a long way, but it does not pay the bills nor do many high performers look to often take pay cuts.

 

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BlueFish

December 2nd, 2010 at 3:15 PM ^

Perhaps.  And it was my understanding that GERG approached RR about the job, not the other way around.  That, along with being fresh out of a job after cratering Syracuse, compels me to assume that he was willing to take a little less.

But there I go again, applying real world "Joe Six Pack" thinking to the potential thought process of college coaches.

Joined: 08/21/2009

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willywill9

December 2nd, 2010 at 3:08 PM ^

It's actually WVU not UWV... not that I care, i just needed to post to get my fix.  I'd throw down 10 bucks toward the pot... let's go, get us an effective DC!

Joined: 09/22/2008

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CRex

December 2nd, 2010 at 3:11 PM ^

Greg actually makes a lot more than 270,000.  We're paying him directly in hair care products and stuffed beavers.  It's an old trick to lessen his tax burden.  We just stock the bathroom on his floor with beavers holding hair care products and never ask questions when they get taken home by someone.  

Joined: 09/28/2009

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Wolverine96

December 2nd, 2010 at 3:09 PM ^

Michigan's salary pool for assistant coaches is currently just under $2M. One of the better ones in FBS.  I don't think that is holding us back attracting top flight assistants. 

Joined: 08/28/2008

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CRex

December 2nd, 2010 at 3:19 PM ^

Which is about half of the total salary paid to all assistants at the U of M interesting enough. Check this out and click over on the Revenue table. We could afford more as we have 19 million in expenses and 63 million in profit off football alone! 20 million in pure profit off all the sports combined. Not too shabby.

Joined: 09/28/2009

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CRex

December 2nd, 2010 at 3:34 PM ^

Works for me when I right click on it and go open in a new tab.  Or you can go here: http://ope.ed.gov/athletics/, click on get data for one institution and search for Michigan.  It's our income/expense report to the federal government.

 

I'm assuming debt payments are covered under our operating expensives or "Not Allocated Expenses" which is a 33 million dollar line item.

Joined: 09/28/2009

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burtcomma

December 2nd, 2010 at 3:14 PM ^

Former CEO's in the real world are much more likely to view a DC as an investment in building back the most important revenue producing piece of the Michigan athletic program and not likely to suffer from lack of money to make that investment....

Joined: 11/01/2009

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Jeff

December 2nd, 2010 at 5:04 PM ^

I agree, those units make more sense for an offensive coordinator.  For a defensive coordinator, we should look at points allowed per thousands of dollars paid.

Gerg: 1.5 point / thousand

Casteel  .43 points / thousand

Now it's indisputable.

Joined: 07/01/2008

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joeyb

December 2nd, 2010 at 3:19 PM ^

I was looking into this the other day as well. Randy Shannon was making $1.5m as a HC. Brewster was making $1m.  If the rumor that Shannon is talking to Minnesota is true, you would think we would need to at least approach $1m, right? Or, give him a competitive base salary with a lot of incentives to get him up to what he would make coaching at a smaller program.

The other thing is that I think I saw that Magee was in the $300k range. If we bring in Shannon at a higher salary, does that mean we would need to bump up Magee to keep him happy?

Joined: 10/12/2008

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dahblue

December 2nd, 2010 at 3:29 PM ^

Why no rants here over the discussion of a coaching change?  Do such prohibitions only apply to discussing RR but not any potential scapegoats?  Ok...I said my piece...commence furious anger...

Joined: 11/09/2009

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ramverine79

December 2nd, 2010 at 3:43 PM ^

I agree there needs to be some upward movement in the assistant salary pool. Top talent costs money. UM upped the anty for a head coach with RR but kept the assistants' pay at Carr levels. The "We're Michigan" mantra only goes so far and has lost some clout after these last few leaner years.

Wasn't there a rumor back in 2007 that lack of money available for assistants may have factored in the Less Miles fiasco?

Joined: 10/22/2008

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maznbluwolverine

December 2nd, 2010 at 3:50 PM ^

It was my understanding that RR approached GERG because their wives are  friends.  RR explained to GERG  that all he had left to pay him from the assistant coaches pool is what he is getting and GERG excepted.

Joined: 02/09/2009

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MillerTime

December 2nd, 2010 at 4:11 PM ^

Per the main page, Randy Shannon would probably be a relatively inexpensive option. He's got to have some money coming his way from the termination of his contract at the U, plus he's not going to be super-competitive for more lucrative positions. He might be right in our wheelhouse.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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busoflove

December 2nd, 2010 at 5:48 PM ^

How long are the current coaches under contract? If we get a new DC, and he has personnel control and axes the whole defensive staff will we have to pay Gibson, Tall, Braithwaite, etc buyouts? Just curious to how assistant coach contracts are set up.

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