Ollie looking for 5 million plus from NBA teams

[elduderino]

He's not going to be making Calipari money because we don't have the SEC TV contract, not because we wouldn't want to.

Yes, agreed, but that's not what I meant. I want him as UCONN's coach because he loves it, and probably makes the mean of the top 25 college coaches in the game, not because we're dropping 5+ mil. to have him here. Again, I hope he's not the hired gun, but I personally wouldn't want the program to treat him, pay him, as one regardless.

 

[B1GEast]

This can't be good for recruiting

 

[CAHUSKY]

I don't want him to be making Calipari money because I don't want ours to be that program.

The program that can afford to pay their head coach as much as an NBA team? You really don't want to be that team? I do.

 

[UConnDad]

Let's just put it in perspective. We have some great coaches here. That we want to keep! We can always hire another AD. From, I don't know, some sports powerhouse like Buffalo?

 

[elduderino]

The program that can afford to pay their head coach as much as an NBA team? You really don't want to be that team? I do.

Hell no! UCONN is a public school in the most overtaxed state in the country. Whatever bull$hit accounting people want to believe about revenue and athletic department budgets/profitability is on them. Pretty simply though, if the state is $40 billion in debt and consistently increasing funding to and backing loans for the University, it sure as hell shouldn't be trying to winning a bidding war against a for-profit basketball league! Does anyone actually think UCONN is in any way profitable?! Not the team, but the actual school, because that's ducking crazy!

 

[jleves]

Hell no! UCONN is a public school in the most overtaxed state in the country. Whatever bull$hit accounting people want to believe about revenue and athletic department budgets/profitability is on them. Pretty simply though, if the state is $40 billion in debt and consistently increasing funding to and backing loans for the University, it sure as hell shouldn't be trying to winning a bidding war against a for-profit basketball league! Does anyone actually think UCONN is in any way profitable?! Not the team, but the actual school, because that's ducking crazy!

So you want to save say 2 million a year by not matching some contract to watch the basketball program become unsuccessful and lose 10 million a year. Brilliant.

 

[elduderino]

Yeah, you're right. If we lose Ollie, might as well burn down Gampel. Can't believe I didn't see that before.

 

[huskymedic]

This can't be good for recruiting

Calhoun may respectfully disagree:

>>But Calhoun doesn’t believe the NBA rumors are hurting UConn’s recruiting yet. It’s too early — coaches don’t really get back out on the road now until July. “And in a bizarre sort of way,” Calhoun added, “kids may like that a guy they may go for is being thought of so well in the NBA. For these kids, the NBA is the end-all.”

 

[jleves]

Yeah, you're right. If we lose Ollie, might as well burn down Gampel. Can't believe I didn't see that before.

Finding coaches capable of winning National Championships is not exactly an easy thing to do. We got incredibly lucky that Ollie with no HC experience was one. If he goes, it hurts UConn in a huge way. There's no easy plug in the next guy and keep going scenario. And if he does go and we are lucky enough to find another one, he will also want to be paid commensurate with what value that has. We are incredibly fortunate that Ollie is bonded to the program and may stay for something less. If there is a next guy, it's unlikely he will be 10 toes in.

And if you don't want to pay those salaries then we will become UMass/Providence. The mens program will make far less money than the extra 2 we may be talking about. And it would also make it far less likely that a P5 is going to want to add a UMass level program.

It is in UConn's best interest and the States best interest to pay for the best coaches they can get and keep. This isn't the time to be cheap when there is still the potential for ACC or Big10 money.

I'm also pretty sure the coaches are paid for by donations and sport revenue and not state revenue. I could be wrong on that, but I remember reading something that suggests that.

 

[uconnbill]

The circus is good publicity for Ollie and UConn. Well done, Warde!

Not good for recruits though.

I just want him to sign a extension and be done with it.

 

[elduderino]

Finding coaches capable of winning National Championships is not exactly an easy thing to do. We got incredibly lucky that Ollie with no HC experience was one. If he goes, it hurts UConn in a huge way. There's no easy plug in the next guy and keep going scenario. And if he does go and we are lucky enough to find another one, he will also want to be paid commensurate with what value that has. We are incredibly fortunate that Ollie is bonded to the program and may stay for something less. If there is a next guy, it's unlikely he will be 10 toes in.

And if you don't want to pay those salaries then we will become UMass/Providence. The mens program will make far less money than the extra 2 we may be talking about. And it would also make it far less likely that a P5 is going to want to add a UMass level program.

It is in UConn's best interest and the States best interest to pay for the best coaches they can get and keep. This isn't the time to be cheap when there is still the potential for ACC or Big10 money.

I'm also pretty sure the coaches are paid for by donations and sport revenue and not state revenue. I could be wrong on that, but I remember reading something that suggests that.

I think we both want Ollie in our program's future. But, we both also know there's only 1 coach making 5+ mil/yr at the college level, and I personally wouldn't want him, his program, or the recruits that are attracted to his program at UCONN. We've won 4 National Championships in 15 years with heart and team work, not one-and-dones and the $5mil. man. I like our program, even its blemishes, and traditions and I wouldn't trade them for all wins a $5 or $10 or however many million dollar coach money could buy. It's just not the UCONN way. We stick to what we know and have excelled at, and everything else will eventually fall into place. The conference, the money, and #'s 5, 6, 7, 8...

 

[Chief00]

If the state is $40B in debt, from the looks of things much of that money was flushed down the drain. $25M for something that actually works well - tops in the country - is money relatively well spent. Despite the $40B we are in the bottom 5 states in just about any category that means anything to business. I travel extensively around the country and UConn basketball gets peoples attention and respect. Ironically, now more than any time I can remember.

 

[Scot-e]

This thread is a steamy pile.

KO is not leaving- he will not leave because he can make 2.5 MM more a year coaching in the NBA, His family is here- they grew up here and he finally can spend more time with them. He does not want to couch in the NBA- he wants to coach at UCONN were he can effect young mens lives.

He is not motivated by NBA money- he is however doing a fine job of negotiating- I have heard the deal is pretty much agreed to for KO- KO is waiting to make sure the other coaches are taken care of as well. Also the buyout of his contract is important with him being such a hot
commodity and it needs to be steep- that always takes time to work out.

He can live quite well on 2.5 million and another million a year in endorsements. Also quit biatching about kids not coming here because of this- we are involved in more top 50 kids this year then we have been anytime I can remember.

Things are good- enjoy it and relax.

 

[Scot-e]

This thread is a steamy pile.

KO is not leaving- he will not leave because he can make 2.5 MM more a year coaching in the NBA, His family is here- they grew up here and he finally can spend more time with them. He does not want to couch in the NBA- he wants to coach at UCONN were he can effect young mens lives.

He is not motivated by NBA money- he is however doing a fine job of negotiating- I have heard the deal is pretty much agreed to for KO- KO is waiting to make sure the other coaches are taken care of as well. Also the buyout of his contract is important with him being such a hot
commodity and it needs to be steep- that always takes time to work out.

He can live quite well on 2.5 million and another million a year in endorsements. Also quit biatching about kids not coming here because of this- we are involved in more top 50 kids this year then we have been anytime I can remember.

Things are good- enjoy it and relax.

 

[jleves]

I think we both want Ollie in our program's future. But, we both also know there's only 1 coach making 5+ mil/yr at the college level, and I personally wouldn't want him, his program, or the recruits that are attracted to his program at UCONN. We've won 4 National Championships in 15 years with heart and team work, not one-and-dones and the $5mil. man. I like our program, even its blemishes, and traditions and I wouldn't trade them for all wins a $5 or $10 or however many million dollar coach money could buy. It's just not the UCONN way. We stick to what we know and have excelled at, and everything else will eventually fall into place. The conference, the money, and #'s 5, 6, 7, 8...

I really don't want to get into a huge debate about this. If Ollie keeps the program successful he's worth 3 to 5 million and if it takes 5 to keep him here, I have no problem with him being the 5M man. I really think something starting at 3 and going to 5 at the 7-10 year mark is reasonable and money well spent.

If you're saying you wouldn't pay him $5M to keep him here even if that's what it takes, I'd have to disagree.

For the record, there are two coaches who make more than 5M from there school: Coach K at 9.7M paid by the school and Calipari at 5.2M from the school. If you add Patino's other pay (whatever that is), he's also over 5M. Bottom line, I think he's worth every bit as much as Thad Matta at 3.1M.

Here's a link to college coaches salaries.

 

[elduderino]

I really don't want to get into a huge debate about this. If Ollie keeps the program successful he's worth 3 to 5 million and if it takes 5 to keep him here, I have no problem with him being the 5M man. I really think something starting at 3 and going to 5 at the 7-10 year mark is reasonable and money well spent.

If you're saying you wouldn't pay him $5M to keep him here even if that's what it takes, I'd have to disagree.

For the record, there are two coaches who make more than 5M from there school: Coach K at 9.7M paid by the school and Calipari at 5.2M from the school. If you add Patino's other pay (whatever that is), he's also over 5M. Bottom line, I think he's worth every bit as much as Thad Matta at 3.1M.

Here's a link to college coaches salaries.

Yeah, I agree, no huge debate necessary. Forgot about Coach K. The guy makes around $2 mil/yr but with performance bonuses and differed comp. he can get close to $10 mil. Not a bad gig for one of the best annual performers in the game. I guess as long as base pay remains around the average of the top 15 coaches... Its pretty tough to argue performance bonuses, although Coach K's agent has got to be psyched!

 

[intlzncster]

Quite frankly Warde has always been reactive when it comes to KO; not a good way to inspire loyalty that would turn down $5m a year. I think it's 60/40 he stays not more than that.

LMAO.

 

[David 76]

Folks, there are a lot of people in the state that are not avid UCONN fans. Or even sports fans. We can not pay KO $5 million/yr. You may find it worth it. I may. But the Board of Trustees. the General Assembly and the voters of CT would not allow it.
Most people are repulsed by the fact that the highest paid employee in the state (most states) is a coach. You really think they will approve of quadrupling KO's salary?
I believe Ollie is loyal to UCONN and when all is said and done will accept UCONN stretching to pay him. But if he wants $5 million, he is gone. I would be bummed he was gone and disappointed that he was not who I thought he was. Again, I don't believe this is the case. But you can't look to fanatical fans to define how much Ollie gets paid.

 

[aceboon]

You guys need to look at the contracts for recent coaches that didn't take on dual hats(the Kerr situation is an anomaly and everyone acknowledges it was bizarre in how badly he was wanted), KO's college experience is an added bonus but as a "rookie" NBA coach he's not getting $5M a year just yet. Maybe in a lil bit with continued regular season success and some more deep tourney runs, but definitely not now. I'm not concerned in the least bit.

 

[CAHUSKY]

Hell no! UCONN is a public school in the most overtaxed state in the country. Whatever bull$hit accounting people want to believe about revenue and athletic department budgets/profitability is on them. Pretty simply though, if the state is $40 billion in debt and consistently increasing funding to and backing loans for the University, it sure as hell shouldn't be trying to winning a bidding war against a for-profit basketball league! Does anyone actually think UCONN is in any way profitable?! Not the team, but the actual school, because that's ducking crazy!

That wasn't the question. You said you wouldn't want Uconn to be a school that could pay $5,ooo,000 a year. I wish we were. Hard to imagine anyone not wanting that to be the case.

 

[elduderino]

If you look at my original post, that program, is in italics, as it is here. And what I meant by that is the type of school that is willing to do anything to buy wins; through buying the most expensive coach, facilities, recruits, whatever. We're a state school with many public and private revenue streams, a $1.1 billion state budget. Fact of the matter is we can pay Ollie $5 or $6 mil. a year, but my point from the beginning was that we shouldn't. It would run contrary to our history and distort our legacy while guaranteeing nothing more for the future of the program, never mind the fact that UCONN is first and foremost a school.

 

[imno1]

Folks, there are a lot of people in the state that are not avid UCONN fans. Or even sports fans. We can not pay KO $5 million/yr. You may find it worth it. I may. But the Board of Trustees. the General Assembly and the voters of CT would not allow it.
Most people are repulsed by the fact that the highest paid employee in the state (most states) is a coach. You really think they will approve of quadrupling KO's salary?
I believe Ollie is loyal to UCONN and when all is said and done will accept UCONN stretching to pay him. But if he wants $5 million, he is gone. I would be bummed he was gone and disappointed that he was not who I thought he was. Again, I don't believe this is the case. But you can't look to fanatical fans to define how much Ollie gets paid.

Who are these people and why the hell are they living here?

 

[imno1]

You guys need to look at the contracts for recent coaches that didn't take on dual hats(the Kerr situation is an anomaly and everyone acknowledges it was bizarre in how badly he was wanted), KO's college experience is an added bonus but as a "rookie" NBA coach he's not getting $5M a year just yet. Maybe in a lil bit with continued regular season success and some more deep tourney runs, but definitely not now. I'm not concerned in the least bit.

I don't think it's that different. Ollie will need to be swept off his feet to take an NBA job. He is happy here. So if a team like say the Lakers want him bad enough they will pay a premium.

 

[Scot-e]

Can we start an " KO relocation forum" similar to the conference one?

 

[jibsey]

KO is like the new girlfriend who is perfect in every way, and at this
point in his career there are no chinks in his armor, no scratches on the new car. If no Brimah 3 point play does any of this happen? Someone considering 5 million?And he would be the same great coach and person that he is. Funny, and good for him.