I believe, fairly soon, NU will have to do something it hasn’t ever had to do. What exactly am I referring to? Paying up, that’s what. Nebraska, even though we are in the top 5 of our conference, has never really had to pay big time dollars to retain any of our coaches. Doc Sadler was given a raise this year ( and rightfully so!) but outside of CallaJOKE getting a fatty of an extension, not one coach comes to mind who we put up big dollars to keep, all while under an original contract. Sadler jumped his base pay up $100,000 and added some incentives that could possibly bring it up further. His contract was also extended 2 years until June 30, 2014. I think NU did a good job in locking him up after the year he had and how hard the team played for him. I think, in a couple of years, they might have to re-work that deal again. My question is WILL NU BE READY TO PAY?
2008 Big 12 Coaches Pay (FOOTBALL)
1. Mack Brown (Texas) $2.8 million
2. Bob Stoops (Oklahoma) $2.65 million
3. Mark Mangino (KU) $2.3 million
4. Gary Pinkel (MU) $1.85 million
5. Mike Sherman (Texas A&M) $1.8 million
6. Mike Leach (Texas Tech) $1.65 million
7. Bo Pelini (Nebraska) $1.6 million
8. Art Briles (Baylor) $1.4 million
9. Dan Hawkins (Colorado) $1.1 million
10. Gene Chizik (Iowa State) $1 million
11. Mike Gundy (Okla. State) $953,000
12. Ron Prince (Kansas State) $754,140
For Bo Pelini, 7th place in the Big 12 for pay, isn’t a bad starting spot for someone WITHOUT head coaching experience. With the exception of Gene Chizik, all the coaches making less than Pelini have at least 2 years of head coaching experience. As conservative as we are with pay around here, I cannot see us paying as much as Texas or Oklahoma, even though we have the money to do so. I know that Nebraska is a good place to raise a family and that Lincoln is a nice place to live, but when bigger money comes at Pelini, will we be able to hold them off with a crime stat sheet, CAT scores, and low housing prices? Pelini being a graduate of Ohio State University, if that job would become available, would he want it? Jim Tressel made $2,700,000 last year. The next coach of OSU will probably make more. What does everyone else think? Will NU “SHOW HIM THE MONEY” when that time comes?
August 21st, 2008 at 8:50 am
I think they already have. I mean you’re right, he’s a first time head coach - although I doubt anyone in the country thinks he can’t do it - but still, it’s his first head position and Dr. Tom and the University have ponied up. As far as keeping him goes I think it will have to do more with what he (Pelini) sees as his future vs. what’s on the table. Course I don’t know him personally but he doesn’t strike me as someone who is soley in it for the payday. And, naturally, how the program progresses under his guidance will have alot to do with it. But, yeah, if he has the kind of success we all think he will, the University won’t have any choice but to do everything possible to keep him.
August 24th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
If he does what he has done so far in his career and gets the Huskers back in the conversation (with wins and effort) and the teams beat the teams they should and beats some teams the experts think we shouldn’t. Now couple that with consisitently winning and challenging for the Big 12 title and the occasional BCS bid/National title shot then he should be in the top three. Fatmangino’s signing of the 2.3mil changed the starting bid for what a Championship caliber coach could cost us if we have the success we are hoping to have. I think if we can keep him for a long time with a top three salary providing the W’s are there
August 26th, 2008 at 6:23 am
A realistic view here would dictate that Bo Pelini has done nothing YET, to warrant discussion of higher pay. So far, he has won the popularity contest among fans, and, has won 1 game as head coach with someone else’s team. To play the devil’s advocate here, his defensive effort in 2003 against K-State, cost Frank Solich and crew, (Bo included) their jobs…. Don’t get me wrong here, I think we should all give Bo a chance , even to the extent of 4 to 6 years if he shows progress. I just believe we should all keep at least ONE foot on the ground….
August 26th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
@Bigredfred
It’s nice to hear from you again. I have missed your reasoning on this board! I think we do all understand that Bo P hasn’t done anything yet to warrant a raise. My deeper question was….NU has really never had to pay top dollar for their coaches. I think TO did the right thing giving Sadler some more cash, and was just wondering if we were moving in the right direction. Unfortunately, these days, money rules and if you are not able to pay a successful coach, someone else will.