PonyFans.com

Out of these current college coaches who make less than $2 million per year, who is the best? Best available to SMU? (or do you still like Coker, Fran, Bowden, etc.)? I chose these coaches for a random sample.

For a full list, go here http://coacheshotseat.com/SalariesContracts.htm


Greg Schiano Rutgers $1,734,000
Mike Leach Texas Tech $1,662,000
Steve Kragthorpe Louisville$1,420,000
Bret Bielema Wisconsin $1,395,000
Gary Pinkel Missouri $1,320,000
Pat Hill Fresno St. $1,230,000
Todd Graham Tulsa $1,100,000
Tom O'Brien NC State $1,100,000
Rich Brooks Kentucky $1,056,000
Jim Grobe Wake Forest $1,021,000
Jim Leavitt South Florida $1,000,000
B. Mendenhall BYU $1,000,000
Randy Edsall Connecticut $920,000
Chris Peterson Boise St.$881,000
Brian Kelly Cincinnati $835,000
June Jones Hawaii $800,000
Kyle Whittingham Utah $678,000
Bill Lynch Indiana $393,000
H. Schnellenberger Florida Atlantic $331,000
Frank Solich Ohio$270,000
Turner Gill Buffalo $191,000

Solich is a steal at $270k

I'd say June Jones is pretty good for 800k. Missouri and Wake Forest have had great success this year compared to the last few.

Mike Leach would be a "wow" hire. Turner Gill would be a bargain in the high six figures. Kelly at UC is angling for more $$.

It looks like you get what you pay for.

They are all pretty damn good coaches. I like Chris Peterson.

tristatecoog wrote:Mike Leach would be a "wow" hire. Turner Gill would be a bargain in the high six figures. Kelly at UC is angling for more $$.

It looks like you get what you pay for.

Kelly signed an extension/raise already, I believe

As far as skins on the wall and what he's done with programs over the course of his career, I'd say Schnellenberger would be best value out of all those coaches. He won a national championship, brought a program from the bottom tier to be one of the powerhouses(Miami),helped lay the foundation for another successful program in Louisville and he's created a program from the ground up at FAU. Too bad he's not 15-20 years younger and didn't have some of the family concerns that he has now. He'd be a heck of a guy to have, especially for that price. Of course, I'm sure everyone will think I'm crazy.

Air Force's Troy Calhoun (in his first year) with a 9-3 record, mwc coach of the year, conference runner up, and his team getting votes for the Top 25. He is only paid $500,000 a year.

Chris Peterson and/or June Jones

[quote="Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex"]As far as skins on the wall and what he's done with programs over the course of his career, I'd say Schnellenberger would be best value out of all those coaches. He won a national championship, brought a program from the bottom tier to be one of the powerhouses(Miami),helped lay the foundation for another successful program in Louisville and he's created a program from the ground up at FAU. Too bad he's not 15-20 years younger and didn't have some of the family concerns that he has now. He'd be a heck of a guy to have, especially for that price. Of course, I'm sure everyone will think I'm crazy.[/quote].................Well, Schnellenberger DID build Miami's program originally and won their 1st national title 25 years ago.Coker is the one who destroyed it. Even Schnellenberger is better than Coker no question......P.S. If SMU wants someone older with a great record, take a proven winner in Jack Pardee !

Chris Peterson took over a very good team and is doing what he should do with his talent level. Being partial to teams we have played, Leach from Tech and Hill from Fresno State put fans in the stands and their team in a bowl game every year. They pay for their own salary and support the whole athletic department at their respective schools which affords things like a baseball team and a sound system not help up by scaffolding.

Leavitt--
This guy was able to recruit kids to come and just practice at first because they didn't have any games scheduled the first year. Has good judgement on assistants (Dan McCarney). And has proven he knows his x's and o's enough to win some big games with mediocre talent.

[quote="LincolnHawk"] Leach from Tech and Hill from Fresno State put fans in the stands and their team in a bowl game every year.They support the whole athletic department at their respective schools which affords things like a baseball team and a sound system not held up by scaffolding. quote]

LOL. I hope someone with authority gets rid of the tacky scaffolding/sound system next season. The bare grassy hill is bad enough. Can't we paint it with a logo or something.

tristatecoog wrote:Mike Leach would be a "wow" hire. Turner Gill would be a bargain in the high six figures. Kelly at UC is angling for more $$.

It looks like you get what you pay for.

The reason for raising $10,000,000 was to get a coach who's ability warrants such a salary. The goal is to hire a legitimate coach who improves our chances to succeed, not to save money by hiring a very unproven (5-7 last season) Turner Gill. NOTE: To the Gill fans. I know 5-7 is better than years past at Buffalo but it still Sux. 5-7 is still 5-7 regardless of past circumstance.

Lynch has done an awesome job at Indiana.

I would take Leavitt and his staff. They have done an absolutely phenomenal job. I don't know if he'd be interested in doubling his salary.