Originally Posted by maxcichon
As to what coaches are paid, and of course this is not limited to the SEC, my department (physics/COSAM) had a $1.1 million budget cut this year. Tubbbbervilllle, in contrast, got a $350K contract extension BONUS for fiscal '08/'09. On top of his re-negotiated contract, he is making $1.5M/annum for his cut of local TV rights.
The biggest rebuttle I have for this would be to look at the P/L statements for the University. While I do not agree with budget cuts in major educational departments to help fund the building of a new basketball arena (which auburn has never truly excelled at), I cannot however lay this blame on Tuberville. You have to look at how much revenue he generates for the school. The football team and Tuberville generate a large majority of the school's yearly revenue. This is how they can give him a 350k contract extension...To keep the money coming in.
don't get my wrong i do not believe the administration of the university has the rigth ideas/set of views to help truly better the world as a whole through education, but by the same token i must admit they do somethings right.