In a now-infamous press conference exchange last month, Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun was reminded that he makes $1.6 million while working for a public university in a state that has a huge budget deficit. Before the questioner could finish, Calhoun snapped, "Not a dime back."Southern Mississippi coach Larry Eustachy is no Jim Calhoun. Eustachy has decided to give not just a dime back, but 250,000 dimes back.
Eustachy has given the university $25,000, saying that he doesn't think he's done a good enough job (the team is 14-14) and that he wants to make a gesture to show that he understands the economic realities of the present day.
The $25,000 represents the amount he got in a bonus for reaching various incentives, including the number of tickets Southern Miss has sold. Eustachy's base salary is $380,000. Here's what Eustachy said in a written statement:
Said Southern Miss athletic director Richard Giannini, "I respect him for what he did. He knew the economic times we were having and we need to use every dime we can find.""The university, fans and administration have been so supportive. I am part of the Golden Eagle family and I want the team and program to succeed more than anyone else does. To that end, until I can turn around the program I have told the administration that I do not want a contract extension and I will donate part of my compensation package back to Southern Miss to help during these difficult economic times. I want to win a championship at Southern Miss and I know that we can do it."
I respect him, too. Eustachy was once best known for resigning from Iowa State after embarrassing photos of him partying with college students surfaced, but a gesture like this could go a long way toward changing that image. Calhoun could learn a thing or two from Eustachy.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-02-2009 @ 11:07AM
sutter4303 said...
This guy could coach my team anytime, anywhere
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3-02-2009 @ 12:01PM
mjsjr52 said...
It's a real insult to compare this opportunist to Jim Calhoun. Forget for a moment (which is very hard to do) the relative successes of their programs- compare which man has done more for their university community and for causes that benefit others. Calhoun earned his way to success and the Hall of Fame and doesn't know the party schedule of the sororities on campus. He does know how to develop the skills of young men both for the immediate present and the near future when they are either in the NBA (as many of his former players were or currently are) or are in the world as adults.
3-02-2009 @ 12:10PM
sutter4303 said...
I am not making any comparison, nor am I making a negative comment about the UCon coach. I just admire someone willing to give back to their community, as well as Coach Calhoun has done. In a world of corporate wall street greed, it is just nice to see someone in leadership give back to the community.
3-02-2009 @ 11:24AM
dadreno said...
Jim Calhoun has given ten times that amount back to the State of Connecticut in all of the charity work he has sponsored and led. He and his wife have donated 100's of thousands and their time to the Uconn Medical Center and other important charities. I am proud of his work as a coach for the Huskies and for Ct. I am hoping he will always be our coach!
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3-02-2009 @ 12:25PM
mjsjr52 said...
OK, that's a fair point to make. If the decision to return the money was his voluntarily, that's a credit to him.
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3-06-2009 @ 5:45AM
John J said...
A journalist is supposed to find out the facts before making comments and accusations. Obviously neither Mr. Krayeske or Mr. Smith bothered to get all the information before pointing fingers. Coach Calhoun has never been one to mince words and he put an alleged credentialed photographer in his place. He's not even a true journalist. He's an activist. That was proven when he blocked the road for Governor Jodie Rell's election arcade in Hartford. Has anyone mentioned this? Mr. Smith apparently hasn't heard of all the good things Calhoun has done for the University and the State of Connecticut over the years. If you consider just the publicity UConn has reaped over the past 23 years with the success of the Huskies basketball program is what any University across the country would pray for. On top of that, he doesn't take McDonald's All-Americans to build his teams around, he takes kids who are basketball projects and make them better players. In the past 20+ years how many schools have the number of NBA players that Calhoun has produced. Also, this bogus video clip being shown is only a portion of the entire ambush Krayeske threw in Calhoun's face. I wish everyone could see the entire build-up to the coach's outburst. And, as for Eustachy, I can't say what his true intents are for his action. On the surface though it seems he's jumping on an opportunity to better his image which had been so badly tarnished. Come back to me in 20 years and if Eustachy has won 800 games, 2 national championships, brings all tens of millions of dollars into the school along with the publicity, then I will be glad to tip my hat to him. Oh yeah, Calhoun is already in the Basketball Hall of Fame. As for Governor Rell, she could possibly learn some lessons from people who have had as much success as Calhoun. Maybe the state wouldn't be in the final situation it is in.
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