What do you think of WSU men’s basketball coach Mark Turgeon’s new 10-year contract that pays him a base salary of $750,000 a year? Contributors to The Eagle’s Opinion Line think it reflects screwed-up priorities. One of the comments on today’s Opinion pages argues: “Mark Turgeon is going to make 15 times what I do. For what? My profession is hazardous and takes skill, licensing and hard work. What makes a ball-bouncer coach worth $750,000 per year?” The question is: How much revenue and good will does a winning coach bring the university, and how much is that worth in the marketplace?
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
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37 Comments
It made Turgeon feel more comfortable, he said.
I hope he meant the increased time of his contract more than the money bump.
Lets hope he’s more sucessful as a coach winning the regular season in consecutive years and finally being Champion of the MVC tournament time and time again.
He needs more titles, being one of highest paid MVC coaches. He can’t say recruiting is “hard” or take no for answer when teams refuse to play WSU. Especially KU and KSU.
It doesn’t count WSU and KSU possibly in the same tournament next season. They have to play instate at each other’s home arena’s. Neither has visited the Koch.
He “owes” that to WSU fans. Schaus shouldn’t leave or pay a huge fine to WSU until those even home and away instate game contracts are signed.
Why can’t deals be done with AD’s at KSU and KU who used to work for WSU in the past?
What is that worth in the marketplace? Well, um, $750,000. The people who are whining about Turgeon’s salary are people that never learned the lessons of the free marketplace. They’re earning what they deserve.
The coach of some silly game gets paid more than 10 times what any police officer or firefighter gets paid to risk their lives to protect us.
Screwed up priorities here? Or, maybe we should call Turgeon for the next armed car jacking?
Proof once again of ridiculous emphasis placed on ’sports’ in thic country.
Where does the money come from? If it is sufficiently supported by SASO etc then I have no problem with it. However, if it is all tax money then that becomes a different matter. That is NOT the “free marketplace”
Free marketplace, restricted marketplace, whatever. Turgeon is worth it because other universities would pay him that and more to move. WSU either pays him what he is worth, or run the risk of losing him and the money and intangibles he brings in.
One thing that I have always wondered about though is that the contracts with coaches seem to be binding only on the university. They may have years left on a contract but no one blinks an eye if they move on to greener pastures.
Gotta agree with raptor here.If WSU was paying this for a great scientist or philosopher I could see it. But for a coach for dribblers?
Mark Turgeon deserves $750,000. If WSU didn’t pay this, somebody else would, for extraordinary coaching talent.
A pressing question is, why isn’t big money being put up to ALSO recruit top-flight ACADEMIC talent? Most of Mr. Turgeon’s blue-chip recruits aren’t from Wichita MSA. Why not set up a top-flight academic program, recruit blue-chip students from elsewhere and make WSU a university whose academic stature will engender corporate headquarter relocations, and see our economy bloom?
Very true heartlander. Find specific professional areas that are not fully served at KU/KSU and create excellence there. I would add to that a better focus on “re-education” of our older work-force to meet the changes going into the future.
We does do the recruiting, so he does have job much more than coaching. He is basically the face of WSU athletic program. He did really good this year by getting WSU to the NCAA tournament and the MVC Championship. If he takes us there a couple of more times, I’ll be fair and won’t expect it every year for the next 10, but at least two or three times, I’ll say that he is worth it. But if this is a one time fluke and WSU basketball fails to do anything in the next 10 years, I might be a bit upset.
But I agree with Heartlander. We can serve better for our community if did what you suggested. I’m not a big sports fan at all, but I am a big academic supporter.It would be right to go your route than to keep spending money on an athletic program.
His salary is a drop in the bucket compared to the coaches at some of the other Kansas Universities. They are in the millions but you don’t see folks upset about that. Some of the universities think they should not disclose what their coaches make. At least WSU is being upfront and honest with the people.
Actually Ruby, the eagle listed them in the paper. I think Turgeon was near the top of the list.
Of course, we don’t see “off-the-books” itmes like endorsements etc. Wonder how much Spangles pays him. (nothing wrong with that though – free market) Actually, I like the idea of the business community being involved.
I agree with the pro and con here. I think the coach at KU, Bill Self, makes $2 million a year. While Self is a good coach — he got far this year with a very young team, I think Turgen at $750K/yr is a bargain.
But, I also agree that it would be nice if all academics were valued at one tenth of this amount.
“Turgeon” – sorry.
Of course priorities are screwed up. Why in the world in Madonna a rich woman today? Or just about any NBA, NFL, MLB, etc., player of games? It is what the audience is willing (conned into?) paying.
willing to pay.
Worth every penny. WSU basketball is about the only notable thing this dogpatch community has going for it.
This is what I mean when people talk about “personal responsibility.”
The fact that our society is structured in such a way that one person by dint of talent and hard-work can make 3/4rs of a million a year on the taxpayer dime (about 20 times what the average wage earner PAYING taxes makes), in no way proves that opportunities exist for EVERYONE to make that kind of money.
He won the lottery that our society has set up. Other people can’t do it anymore than they can win powerball once in their lifetimes.
It has much less to do with “personal responsibility” than the way our society has systematically and by design organized itself into the haves and have-nots.
I agree that WSU may be foolish to pay so much to keep him after one very hot year. They may be right, or he may have gotten lucky this year. Either way, it is true that another school would have paid for him after the NCAA showing, and he may not get that chance again. Just because it is “fair market value” doesn’t mean that all of us think the market is valuing the right things. WSU is supposed to be an institute of higher education, not higher basketball aspirations. I hope their athletic success doesn’t come at the cost of their fien arts programs. It may or may not make more students want to go to WSU, but I sincerely doubt it makes better professors want to go there. I think what it does for WSU is make it more desirable for the “typical” college student – 18-22 instead of the older or also working student.
How many multiples does he get paid over the professors that are actually educating our children?
Unlike those college professors, Turgeon can be fired for poor performance.
How many professors are bringing in several thousands of dollars and countless free national and international PR for the university that makes the coach’s salary look miniscule in comparison?
Wrong Todd. They would still have to pay him for the ten years.
Google Bill Snyder and see what he’s done for Manhattan.
WSU student here. Inside perspective: what this basketball team has done this year is completely re-energize the campus, the student body, hell the entire city. We FINALLY have something to be proud of and something we can all rally around. And there are tangibles, as well. Admissions inquiries are up something like 200%. Reality check: yes, even the smart kids, “top flight academic talent,” consider schools with good athletic programs because of the energy it brings to the college experience.
Ask yourself what the publicity is worth as well. WSU on national TV, folks all over the country who have never heard of us before are watching us (or even cheering for us). How much would WSU have paid for similar advertising and promotion? Millions probably. The publicity we are getting these days thanks to the team will come back around in increased licensing revenues, increased enrollment, and increased donations.
Thank you Mr. C. Good point. Before Snyder K-State was an alsoran. And it’s no strange coincidence that when the football team experienced a few tough years, enrollment dropped.
I’m really glad we have NoJo here to point out the obvious. Otherwise, none of us would know what to think.
Also, how does a research professor bringing in “thousands of dollars” begin to off-set Turgeon’s 7.5 million over ten years?
Orig. It’s obvious from your post that you don’t understand the obvious. See the real Steve’s post above that expounds on my points.
how is it that the universities can afford millions for coaches, but just a few weeks ago i remember reading how the State schools needed a major cash infusion to do maintance on many of their buildings. also I would be intersted in knowing how much taxpayer money goes to college sports
It’s a fact of life that Universities are going to pay their coaches the big bucks. They considered it a real investment if it sells out events, tee-shirts, and enrollement goes up.
WSU needed something. About somebody comment that WSU should do what KSU and KU are doing, they only wish they could. But the Board of Regents will never allow Wichita to grow its research areas other than NIAR and that dismal compared to what those two University gets. WSU will never be allowed to have a law school or medical school. The Board of Regents treats WSU as a regional University like Emporia, Fort Hays, and Pittsburn, although WSU is not.
WSU is also a bit unique because it is an urban university with a focus for turning out college grads for the Wichita area. KU actually has a lot of students that attend but once graduate leave the state. KSU is for farmers and the rural community, so they will keep it strong.
How is that KSU has a flight school but WSU doesn’t? It’s all about politics. The people in the N.E. of Kansas really don’t like Wichita, just ask anybody that lives there.
I remember going to KC last year and was talking to a few people who lived there all their lives. When I told them I was from Wichita, one guy said, that place has nothing but a bunch of hispanics, blacks, asians, and etc., but he used the slang derogatory words instead. I was offended.
Did you know what kind of strings needed to be pulled just to get the once Wichita University (City funded college) to be a State University? This happened in the early 1960’s, but people during that time will tell you it was a fight indeed. KU and KSU wouldn’t have it.
This will even go down to WSU football program that no longer exist. WSU was hurting for money and the Board of Regents said that they would give more money, get a few more degree field and a new department with more professors if you get rid of your football program. Now I don’t know exactly how true that was, but from what I read that seemed to be the case.
I travel all over the state of Kansas and I go into these small towns and in the convience stores, shops, and restaurants are banners, trinkets, shirts, posters, painted rocks of KU and KSU. You will never see a WSU.
Even if WSU won the NCAA Championship you will not see the rest of the state embrace it. You will never find one WSU shirt in Great Bend or Dodge City, not going to happen.
Perfect example was when WSU was in the 36 slot just before their Sweet Sixteen entrance. I was talking to somebody in Greensburg Kansas and the topic of NCAA basketball came up.
This person was upset that KU was out in the 1st round. I said “what about WSU, they are doing good?” The person responded “If they are not in the big 12, it doesn’t matter.” then the person went on “How did WSU get in the tournament, they’re a small university, they shouldn’t be in there.”
That is people’s attitude. No matter that WSU is actually quite a large university. I’m a WSU grad myself, so I have pride for WSU, but nobody else does.
Hey Joe,
Next time you talk to people give derogatory words about folks here and denigrate the city, say F.U.
I’ve been to KC area and never heard such things. I went to KSU and never heard bad feelings coming from friends that I was from here.
Its cow college up there anyway. Manhattan isn’t close to being Wichita as a city. KSU and WSU are different in the programs offered. They have a flight school for farmers who need to spray crops. Light planes.
WSU doesn’t need it. Its fine the programs exist to help design and further along jets.
Its understandable small town Kansas comes to Wichita but doesn’t know we stand for here. Not enough Wichitans proudly wear WSU gear. I’m one of them. Its going to change as WSU will change.
People will know Wichita is WSU and how the college achieves in athletics will be more well known. KU has had a long history.
Wichita and WSU still has to create one here with continued titles and championship games. It will help when WSU vs KU and WSU vs KSU starts happening on a regular basis and those games are on local TV and not ESPN.
WSU needs to play teams in the Big 12 in sports.
The state did a study, more people in the state visit Wichita than any other location. We have to identify who we are better and those visitors will take that home.
Mrage,I didn’t see where Joe said anything bad about Wichita and the people on this board. I have gone to Kansas City many times (unfortunately) and I have heard many times how bad Wichita is. Northeast Kansas does not like Wichita and that is fine with me.
Keith,
I wasn’t directing anything at Joe.
Who do you guys deal with? I don’t like KC, nothing is there to keep going back. But I don’t defame the individuals who live there. Royals stink, Chiefs stink. NASCAR track is in Kansas.
I can blame Wyandotte County for recent political attacks on Sedgwick County. Its not good our own political hacks come down and deny our vote choice about a casino. Legislators wrote the gambling bill to restrict Wichita.
Hating an individual is okay, but hating the individual and the city he/she came from is doubly wrong.
Don’t get me hating people I don’t know who say their from KC. I already don’t like the town.
I have to do business with some KC companies, they only untested market down here and eager to accomplish some things.
I agree, Wichita hasn’t tapped who and what we are yet.
I lived in KC for a month while I trained for a new job a few years ago. It’s not necessarily that they “hate” Wichita, it’s just that they think we are just some wide spot in the road, backwater hick town (funny, I feel the same about Topeka). My coworkers up there didn’t believe me when I told them we have half a million people here. I think their legislative delegation fights so hard to exclude Wichita from everything because they feel they “deserve” all the money and attention because they “have all the people.” Somewhere along the line they missed the fact that a fifth of this state’s population lives just in Sedgwick County alone. Oh, and someone needs to explain this to our own delegation as well…
Anyway, back to the point of this thread–Joe is right. Because power on the Board of Regents has traditionally been in the hands of NE KS schools, WSU gets the shaft. It is treated as a “regional” U because they’re too ignorant to figure out Wichita is different from Hays or Pittsburg. Of course, we don’t do much to change this perception either. If we continue to think negatively of our own hometown, they will as well. As the saying goes, “You can’t expect anyone to respect you if you don’t respect yourself.”
I looked at http://www.kansasregents.org
The Board is not our biggest problem at this time unless they could help WSU play KU and KSU within our borders every other season in basketball. Home and away even.
This community, politically and every individual interested has to desire WSU be part of things we do here all the time.
Some of us don’t like the “urban campus description” and we’re not doing something about that fast enough.
I need participation with county and city leaders combined so its going to take time as they finish creating the downtown arena. Maybe the city isn’t busy enough, the Mayor publicly suggesting a talk about WSU football.
Until a group is formed, politicians, investors and a plan layed down, no one can ask WSU to be more than it currently is.
We like WSU success in basketball. Wonder about baseball getting back to winning regionals and going to the college World Series.
Wichita has help create publicity for WSU and want more students to attend the college. We like to see womens sports volleyball and softball do well. All those track people win races and awards.
People fight the idea, cost of football on WSU and how it would work, division 1 or 1-AA. Increased women’s scholarships.
I can only say to fix the image of WSU at the Regent level, Wichita must build a facility that attracts news to this city. We are investing in our college wholeheartedly.
With football and more money coming in to the WSU administration, they could begin to think about expanding degree programs and bettering the ones that exist. WSU shouldn’t have to cut classes unless its becuase the teaching is bad. Not because of economics due to less students enrolling.
Wichita must help more students enroll at WSU.
Lets enjoy basketball and keep thinking about football. A sports facility like no other in neighboring states is being considered and will eventually be realized.
Since we have nothing, its possible to create the best. That would inspire WSU’s football team to defend the home field with pride.
Talks will happen in Topeka with the legislators and in the Regent’s presence eventually. If they aren’t giving WSU due today, they will be saying YES to everything WSU desires in the future. Even if some of us have to yell.
We have to show community dedication making WSU better as a college.
Turgeon making $750K today, whats a future football coach pay? Lets try to bring football back and construct a facility by 2016, length of time Turgeon’s contract.
The clock has started.
We can change how others think of this city. Topeka has to understand, Wichita is the heart of Kansas.
FINALLY we have a basketball team to make us proud again! Mark Turgeon is an ambassador for our city on many levels — as a recruiter, as a coach, and as a community leader. He represents us well.
I am so glad to see him leading a program that not only produces excellent basketball players, but fine individuals, as well.
He’s worth every penny!
An average military person assigned to the Wichita area makes less than $30,000 a year. And their job of defending this country is far more noble and important than coaching a basketball team. If it weren’t for our all volunteer Armed Forces, these college players this city idolizes would be drafted and fighting in Iraq right now.