Want to get into big-time college coaching? Fine. Just know you're going to have to put up with a lot of bullspit.
Here's a story: Recently I bumped into one of Oklahoma's most successful and respected coaches, who I never would have suspected had any trouble with their kids. Wrong.
They told me about an ugly confrontation with one of their stars at a workout. They still couldn't believe it happened. They couldn't believe the athlete would have the nerve to pull such a stunt.
Then the coach paused, thought for a second and decided they could believe it, actually, given the self-centered world so many of today's college athletes inhabit.
Point is, you'll take a few unpleasant turns on your way to the more attractive benefits of being a big-time college coach, championships and money among them.
Lucky thing for OU's coaches, they typically compete for championships. And they are very well-compensated for the occasional unpleasantness.
Our annual reminder of that fact arrived this week, when the OU Board of Regents approved raises. Sooner coaches are, by and large, making bank. And it's not just Bob Stoops ($4.875 mil), Lon Kruger ($2.1 mil) and Sherri Coale ($1.01 mil).
Check it out:
Josh Heupel, football co-offensive coordinator
Old salary: $330,000 New salary: $350,000
Jay Norvell, football co-offensive coordinator
Old salary: $330,000 New salary: $350,000
Bobby Jack Wright, football defensive ends coach
Old salary: $271,600 New salary: $280,000
Jackie Shipp, football defensive tackles coach
Old salary: $256,600 New salary: $270,000
Cale Gundy, football running backs coach
Old salary: $255,000 New salary: $270,000
James Patton, football offensive line coach
Old salary: $255,000 New salary: $265,000
Jerry Schmidt, football strength and conditioning coach
Old salary: $250,000 New salary: $257,000
Bruce Kittle, football tackles/tight ends coach
Old salary: $240,000 New salary: $252,000
Chris Crutchfield, men's assistant basketball coach
Old salary: $200,000 New salary: $205,250
Steve Henson, men's assistant basketball coach
Old salary: $200,000 New salary: $205,250
Lew Hill, men's assistant basketball coach
Old salary: $200,000 New salary: $205,250
Patty Gasso, head softball coach
Old salary: $195,000 New salary: $205,000
Mark Williams, head men's gymnastics coach
Old salary: $135,000 New salary: $191,000
K.J. Kindler, head women's gymnastics coach
Old salary: $130,000 New salary: $190,000
Jan Ross, women's assistant basketball coach
Old salary: $180,000 New salary: $186,400
Chad Thrailkill, women's assistant basketball coach
Old salary: $129,000 New salary: $133,600
Jack Giese, baseball pitching coach
Old salary: $115,000 New salary: $130,000
Santiago Restrepo, head volleyball coach
Old salary: $122,000 New salary: $127,500
Ryan Hybl, head men's golf coach
Old salary: $112,000 New salary: $125,000
John Roddick, head men's tennis coach
Old salary: $109,800 New salary: $125,000
Pam DeCosta, women's assistant basketball coach
Old salary: $114,000 New salary: $118,000
Veronique Drouin-Luttrell, head women's golf coach
Old salary: $93,600 New salary: $115,000
LeeAnn Crain, head rowing coach
Old salary: $92,000 New salary: $105,000
David Mullins, head women's tennis coach
Old salary: $96,000 New salary: $100,000
Lou Ball, women's assistant gymnastics coach
Old salary: $67,288 New salary: $90,000
Tom Haley, women's assistant gymnastics coach
Old salary: $67,288 New salary: $90,000
Melyssa Lombardi, softball pitching coach
Old salary: $82,540 New salary: $86,040
Tripp Mackay, softball hitting coach
Old salary: $61,140 New salary: $64,640
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