Ollie looking for 5 million plus from NBA teams

[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.

 

[upstater]

Since the state of Connecticut is so awful, why don't people just leave!! Get out ASAP.

 

[intlzncster]

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.

You should get paid what you are worth according to what the market bears. The basketball program pays for itself, and if it can support that kind of contract for KO, then that kind of contract should at least be in play. No need to overpay based on the market, of course.

The mismanagement of State funds falls on Legislature, not UCONN basketball. The latter actually generates positive net income, where as the former consistently sits in the red. The fact is, KO should be the highest paid state employee because he helps bring in the most profit.

 

[tcf15]

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.

Ollie knows it too haha:

"I imagine if I'd have [lost] in the first round against St. Joe's, my name wouldn't be coming up," Ollie said. "It comes with the territory, when you're successful and the program is successful, everybody gets in a different spotlight. That happens with our players, too. Shabazz [Napier], hopefully he goes in the first round [of the draft] now. If we had lost in the first round [of the tournament] and we had a subpar season, I don't know if Shabazz would be in that situation. DeAndre [Daniels] has the opportunity to go to NBA, Ryan [Boatright] getting all the accolades toward the end of the season."​

 

[CAHUSKY]

Ollie knows it too haha:

"I imagine if I'd have [lost] in the first round against St. Joe's, my name wouldn't be coming up," Ollie said. "It comes with the territory, when you're successful and the program is successful, everybody gets in a different spotlight. That happens with our players, too. Shabazz [Napier], hopefully he goes in the first round [of the draft] now. If we had lost in the first round [of the tournament] and we had a subpar season, I don't know if Shabazz would be in that situation. DeAndre [Daniels] has the opportunity to go to NBA, Ryan [Boatright] getting all the accolades toward the end of the season."​

Which is what makes it so damned hard to turn down a big $$$ offer should one materialize. You never know if you'll have the opportunity again.

 

[EricSD]

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.

I hope you are right and that's pretty much how I've looked at it. But the selfish fan side of me appreciates that he's in such high demand, but wishes this was all over and done with. I realize that we only get snippets of info as well as a healthy dose of speculation from people on all sides, but in a way it makes it sound like Ollie is just chasing the money, and I know he's not THAT kind of guy.

 

[Chief00]

So "chasing" $25m over 5 years is a bad thing? Who wouldn't do that to guarantee financial security for their family - assuming it's not a set-up for failure scenario.

 

[SixRings]

Some of you people are nuts and need to relax. This will take some time to find a common ground. I'm happy, as a tax payer, you don't have the authority to negotiate this contract.
I speculate that WM will try to sign KO to a 10yr deal and KO is probably looking at 5yrs. Likely it will be an agreement in the middle for ~$4m per year. He is well worth it. After that or just before the end of the contract I can see KO jumping to the NBA. We've got a shooting star. Maybe the kids will keep in his head and he stays longer.

 

[Richmondhsky]

If WM doesn't get a deal done...he's done. Obviously, SH has a huge part of the decision but this contract negotiation will seal the deal for any further CR for us. Without Mens BB success...how much does the state invest in the University?

Lots more at stake than the Mens BB program. KO has them over a barrel....this is not so much about dollars for him but commitments to secure P5 membership. KO has integrity and although he wants to get paid, he's looking for a payday for his assistance's and a hard commitment the University will invest to make the athletic programs a shoe in for P5.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

If WM doesn't get a deal done...he's done. Obviously, SH has a huge part of the decision but this contract negotiation will seal the deal for any further CR for us. Without Mens BB success...how much does the state invest in the University?

Lots more at stake than the Mens BB program. KO has them over a barrel....this is not so much about dollars for him but commitments to secure P5 membership. KO has integrity and although he wants to get paid, he's looking for a payday for his assistance's and a hard commitment the University will invest to make the athletic programs a shoe in for P5.

Warde is a very bit player on this stage.
Really KO is a one man show.

 

[EricSD]

So "chasing" $25m over 5 years is a bad thing? Who wouldn't do that to guarantee financial security for their family - assuming it's not a set-up for failure scenario.

To answer your question, no. But there's no guarantee he wouldn't be fired is there? The NBA fires and hires a lot of the coaches on a frequent basis. The only ones who seemingly have real job security are guys like Rivers, Pop, Van Gundy, etc.

But to answer your question further, $5 mil+ would put him in the top 5 of ALL coaches in the NBA. Only Van Gundy, Popovic, and Rivers make more than that. I guess any NBA team that is dumb enough to offer a guy with 2 years total coaching experience for $5 million + sort of deserves what they get. It's a really huge gamble. And if they weren't able to "lure" Izzo or Cal, I'd be disappointed in Ollie were he to chase after that.

But by chasing the money, I mean this. Every time you hear Ollie talk, he's all about the "kids" - molding, teaching, coaching, them etc etc. He talks about that as his passion. It's what drives him. To get the most out of his players and turn them into the best men AND basketball players he can. If that's his true passion, and he's not just blowing smoke, then it's not in synch with coaching/babysitting a bunch of prima donnas in the NBA for more $. I do get that if he's only going to make $1 Mil or so at UCONN for the next 5 years and an offer comes along that's 5 times that, he'd clearly be tempted and rightfully so.

But to come out and say "it will take $5 million per to get me to the NBA" (and I haven't seen any quotes of him saying that) would be disappointing me and an indication of chasing the money. If UCONN can get him $2-3 mil per year not including bonuses (speaking and performance), then it becomes less an issue of him doing what truly inspires him and going after more $.

I also should have added that clearly it's just my opinion. Whether or not I'm disappointed in Ollie, or what he says/does, will have zero impact on his actions... But we are a bunch of armchair QB's, so at least we get to spew our own personal brand of craziness, eh?!!