This columnist in the Orlando Sentinel thinks so. With Kentucky desperate for a head coach, and having bags and bags of money to throw around, the suggestion by Mike Bianchi is to pay Billy Donovan $4 million a year (!), comfortably ahead of what football coach Urban Mayer makes (around $2 million per year). I like parentheses.Is it crazy? It doesn't sound like it on the surface, when you compare the challenges and accomplishments by the respective coaches. But that's the thing, a coach's value to a school really doesn't have anything to do with challenges and accomplishmens. Their value is based on -- the only thing their value is based on -- is how much money they can bring into the school. And Florida football is probably always going to bring in more money than Florida basketball.
More people go to football games, the tickets cost more, they sell more jerseys and merchandise, and the TV deals are much bigger for football than basketball. That's the way it is.
Still, though, I don't know that this is a matter of should. Urban Meyer originally signed a 7-year deal at Florida for $14 million, though there are a ton of incentives involved, and I couldn't guess at the actual number. But still, the number being thrown around in regards to the Kentucky job is $3.5 million per year. Somewhere, some way, Billy Donovan is going to be making more than Urban Meyer next year.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
football certainly makes more money. but i would say donovan should make more money than urban, at least for now. billy d is a proven commodity: without a doubt, he's one of the very best coaches in college basketball. while urban is obviously good, it still remains to be seen whether or not he can sustain long-term success in the sec. not that i think he can't--he appears to be the real deal with their recruiting class last year. but still.
but you're right. florida should pony up, or he might go cash his check in kentucky.
Simple...pay them both $4 million..they deserve it....they will stay forever!
Why not give them both 5 million and let it be known that Florida is the summit of all college sports. I know that UF can easily afford it. GO GATORS!!!!
The summit of all college sports?
I give UF credit for winning ever-so-convincingly in BBall and FBall this past year, but I think that goes a little far.
Actually LSU would have whipped yallz asses 9 out of 10 in FBall(that one lucky game doesn't count), as they did in Girls basketball and Baseball.
And unitl Urban Meyer can stop your SIX, that's right SIX GAME losing streak against the bullies down south, you guys shouldn't say anything!
That oughta get some of you guys fired up!
Seriously, congratulations! I'm just pokin fun!