Connecticut Governor Calls Jim Calhoun Salary Tirade 'Embarrassing'
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2/25/2009 8:45 AM ET By Michael David Smith
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- Michael David Smith
- Michael David Smith is FanHouse's Lead Blogger
Connecticut governor Jodi Rell is the latest person to weigh in on the Jim Calhoun salary controversy, and the governor said Tuesday that she found Calhoun's response to a question about his status as the state's highest-paid employee "embarrassing."
Said Rell of Calhoun's answer to a question about his salary, "I think if Coach Calhoun had the opportunity right now, he would welcome a do-over and not have that embarrassing display."
Rell, whose salary is $150,000, wouldn't directly answer whether she believes Calhoun should take a pay cut. Calhoun declined to answer when the Hartford Courant asked him about the governor's comments.
Calhoun was asked at a weekend press conference about getting the biggest paycheck in a state that is currently running a deficit, and before the questioner could even finish asking, he interrupted with "not a dime back." He then lectured the questioner about the revenue that his team generates, and told the questioner to shut up.
Although the questioner (a political activist who got to the press conference with a photo pass) didn't conduct himself in a very professional manner, the underlying question is a legitimate one, and Calhoun is wrong to suggest that his own salary is above being questioned. Rell is right to call his response embarrassing.
Read More: Connecticut Coaches Jim+Calhoun, JimCalhoun, Jodi+Rell, JodiRell
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Jim Calhoun runs one of the best basketball programs in the country!! His dept is profitable mainly bc of the dollars generated by his program. Why is it that unsuccessful bank heads get millions for being fired after ruining a company. Yet a guy who runs a great business should be punished for being a success? Hello Gov. The business of your state that you are running obviously isnt working. Maybe you shouold take some lessons from the UCONN athletic dept!!!!!
The real question is not why Calhoun is being paid so much, but rather, why are the athletes who are the real draw not the coaches getting paid nothing? They are mostly black athletes who will never make it to the NBA and never recieve a degree. They are all being used. The hypocrocy of the college system is an outrage.
To sgdbaty13, I am sick and tired of the argument that the athletes should be getting paid, more on that in a minute. Next, I am sick and tired of hearing the argument that the mostly black athletes are not going to the NBA or not going to get their degree.
First and foremost, I hope that you are an educated individual, but if not, you are missing the point that these kids that play college sports are getting paid. It's called an EDUCATION. It's called traveling to multiple venues and campuses on the school's dime, it's eating meal's on the school's dollar, it's getting free clothes by the athletic sponsors (Nike, Under Armour, etc.) It's free textbooks and all the extras that come with being an athlete at a major university.
If you did go to college, and not on scholarship, you would know that it cost a lot of money to pay for classes, books, room, board, gas money, and all the extra little expenses that come up. Several magazines have estimated that it costs between $15-25K a year minimum for public universities. If a kid stays at school four years, that's anywhere from $60-100K in incentives to PLAY!!!!
If the black athlete is not going to go to college to get his education but to play ball only, that is just STUPID. These kids need to think a bit logically that going to class and hard work will pay off for them in the long term of society by letting their education open so many doors of opportunity. As much as I hate to break it to the black community, not every kid that plays basketball can play in the NBA. Think about this too, there are 30 teams in the NBA. Each of those 30 teams have 12 players on roster. That means that 360 people will be on a team at best. Take out the superstars that are not leaving the NBA like LeBron, Kobe, Shaq, etc., at least 5 players per team will remain in the NBA next season, so out of the 360 players, take away a minimum of 150 and at the absolute most, you might have 210 people with barely a chance to get on an NBA team. Don't forget to count the international players that have dreams of playing here in the States. So, with that being said, there are so few players who actually make it big.
Now, if the black community would find some REAL leaders to step up and help these kids understand that there NBA chances are so slim, but they still have an unbelievable opportunity to take advantage of the resources and benefits of an education, along with the benefit of getting to play ball with national exposure. They could easily find themselves in a great position for work with a great company by their hard work, leadership skills, team work capabilities, and demeanor off the court as well as on the court. Look at the young man, a black athlete, that played football at Florida State and was a Rhodes Scholar. He should be the best example for all college athletes--black or white--at what an education can do. He received so much positive national media attention, he brought tremendous pride to his parents, school, community and should be exemplified for all the right reasons.
I would loved to have had the athletic talent many of these young men have to play college sports, but they have to become accountable to themselves one day. Don't blame the system when these kids think that sports is a simple lottery ticket to big money. It's called accountability. I worked hard and went to school on my own dime so I could get a good job and contribute to the working world of society. I don't want to see any of these kids fail, but the excuses have just worn thin. With all of the opportunities and help programs for minorities today, there is no excuse for minorities to not have a chance in life to make something of themselves, other than a baller. They actually could grow up and become President one day.
To Sgdbaty13,
On one hand you said that these black athletes or being used, then you flip and say they're stupid and can't succeed in the classroom. OK, they get no scholarship, how are they going to get into a good college and afforded the opportunity to get an education. Give the black college athlete some credit. They are not stupid as you portray them to be.
The economy is making people act silly and ask dumb questions. However, I did see that the ACC is going to be selling ACC Tourney tickets to the general public for the first time since the sixties:
I think that the govenor of Connecticut is am embarrassment and should also shut up. The basketball coach has done nothing wrong. The college is a state run entity and in the end, the state offered a contract and he accepeted. His job is to win the NCAA title, isn't? With that is price tag. Shame on the govenor for allowing the contract if they feel its too much. The man is earning his keep. Also at a press conference the purpose is talk about the game, not ones paycheck. For the political activist badgering the coach: Get your head out of your ass and get in the game. If you have an issue with what this man makes, go after the school and the government of Connecticut. You obviously do not understand what a contract is and how it works. It is offer and acceptance. The school offered the money and the time frame in return for the job title and duties there with in. You sound like you are not succesful in life and need to ruin others to feel better about you. The coach is a winner and a proven track record, maybe if you took lessons from him you might make be able to make a fraction of what he does. And to that point, if you had his salary, would you bitch and complain? I think not. Would you like your salary debated in a open forum? I think not. How about you back to work at Walmart, greet people shut up and live your miserable life quietly.
pure and simple we are paying anyone in sports that can not count to 10 way too much.
The man has one of best basketball programs year in and year out and he is suppose to take a pay cut to make everybody else feel good.Govenor and reporter needs to shut up!!!!!!!
go get him JIm-------that reporter is an idiot--hmm you make 12 mil for UCONN --what other state employee can say that--maybe this guy will force you to retire and UCONN will go 5-20 -- the basketball program will break even. Think that reporter will pony up the difference. What a small minded, myoptic, phlegmatic clown
Jim Calhoun is one of the best coaches in the country. If the governor is embarrassed about having the best work for the state of Connecticut, may explain why Connecticut is running red, and Calhoun is running at the top of the college polls year in, year out. The fact that Calhoun's program is paying its way five-fold, is nothing to sneer at either! If Calhoun is getting tired, perhaps he may consider a second career as....Governor!
Greek, you miss the point. The Universities themselves know when they recruit these kids with an SAT score of 700 or less that they are never going to make it in the class room. So if they know that going in, then who is using who? Pay the kids if all they are are a means to raise revenue for the school.
He's paid what the market dictates. It's called capitalism.
Greek, you did a good job. I finally like someone's post. As much as I want my Black son to go to college and play sports, I still push EDUCATION first. I am a Carolina fanatic. When I was a young boy, Charlie Scott from NY played for DEAN SMITH. He turned me on to basketball. But, he turned me on to being an ACADEMIC SCHOLAR even more. Yeah, CHARLIE SCOTT from the UNC TARHEELS was the first Black recruit to play in the state of NC. He was a special talent on and off the court. Thanks again, GREEK, etc.
His actions were embarrassing!! Someone who does get paid so much should act better!!
Jim Calhoun runs one of the most successful basketball programs in the country and appears to do right by nurturing, mentoring and guiding his young charges. I just wish he would comport himself in a more mature and gentlemanly fashion. Its often an embarrassment. There are some great examples of good sportsmanship and civil behavior among the most successful of college coaching's ranks, unfortunately Jim Calhoun and Bobby Knight are not among them. Its sad that his sometimes unsportsmanlike conduct on and off the court detracts from his success in the sport, and his exemplary relationship with his players.
The kids are afforded an opportunity to participate in the sport at the highest level, under one of the game's master coaches. They are also afforded an uunequaled educational opportunity. It is their responsibility to make the most of all the gifts that they have beeen given.
Kevin- You are embarassing. What the Coach said was right on the money. It would be much different if the state was actually paying his salary. The governor should shut her stupid yap as well, and spend more of her energy figuring out how to reduce the state's deficit. How much money the men's basketball coach makes should be least of her concerns. As far as this BS about how we should all pitch in so the jobless and homeless don't have it so hard, shove it!!! I work damn hard for what I have, and the beauty of the American way of life is that I don't HAVE TO share it with anybody. I believe some countries have tried that idea....it's called communism. Didn't work so well for the old USSR, now did it??
The Governor should be embarrased. Jodi Rell is running Ct. with a deficit. She is failing at her job, not Calhoun. Rell should think about that before she chooses her comments.
jim calhoun should run for governor, kevin you are an idiot, the coach is grossly UNDERPAID given his immensely successful program.
Coaches are first EDUCATORS.
Jim Calhoun's response was boorish and hysterical, and I wince that this is the example he sets how to respond to criticism or disagreement.
"Jim Calhoun for President" blog entry at delphinias's blog says it all!
This b-ball coach rocks! And wimpy dudes asking insipid questions - yes, reporters reported a pool of urine where the wimpy dude stood - was put in his place! Connecticut govs who poo poo Calhoo-hoon suck nectarines for nectar!