How much do you think a college coach should be paid?

Coaches who lead their teams deep into the NCAA Tournament can pretty much guarantee themselves of at least two or three things.

First, if they are on the hot set, they will secure their jobs for at another year or two.

Second, they will receive bonuses.

And third, many will be the recipient of contract extensions and pay raises.

Kentucky, one of the premier basketball programs in the nation, have already given John Calipari a pay increase and contract extension for his success. His base salary increased a half million dollars to $7.75 million and will climb to $8 million annually through 2024.

But here are a couple of more interesting clauses.

In June 2022, a compensation review will be done to compare it to other coaches’ contracts. This will keep him among the highest paid in the country.

Also, if the Wildcats decide to get rid of Calipari before 2024, they will be obligated to pay him $5 million for each year.

I know college basketball is big business and coaches are drawing unbelievable salaries. Some may be wondering who are the highest paid college basketball coaches and are they worth it.

My first thought was Calipari, but there’s someone making a little more than he is.

Before I get to the top money-makers, some will argue the fact that coaches are not worth the millions they are being paid. They certainly manage the game, but many are no longer involved in developing athletes because most enter college already physically developed.

After a year or two of mental preparation by the coaches, they are off to the next level. Today, the word "red-shirt" is no longer used that much on the Division I level.

Back to the salaries.

According to the 2016 figures published by Sports Cheat Sheet, Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski was No. 1 with an annual salary of just under $7.3 million. Last year, Calipari followed at about $6.9 million.

Others included Arizona’s Sean Miller ($4.945 million); Kansas’ Bill Self ($4.943 million); Michigan State’s Tom Izzo ($4.15 million); West Virginia’s Bob Huggins (($3.34 million); TCU’s Jamie Dixon ($3.23 million); Indiana Tom Crean ($3.15 million); Wichita State’s Gregg Marshall ($3.13); and Connecticut’s Kevin Ollie ($3.10 million).

If Duke doesn’t give Krzyzewski any more money, it appears Calipari will become the highest paid college basketball coach.

When postseason rolls around, coaches’ salaries and their jobs are always topics of discussion.

A 2011 research indicated that salaries were “out of control” and predicted in 2013 to continue to rise.

There have been discussions about putting caps on coaches' salaries, but apparently the law prevents the NCAA from doing that.

In 2016, the U.S. News & World Report said, “The highest-paid 25 college basketball coaches earn between two and six million dollars per year. This doesn’t include generous perks such as private jets and housing allowances, or severance packages.” The magazine also said coaches are the highest-paid public employees in several states, including Kentucky and Kansas.

• • • •

The top-paid women's coach is UConn's Geno Auriemma, who will make just about $2.4 million next season.

I didn't say that to spark a salary debate between men and women coaches. I said it because I wanted to turn a little attention to women's basketball.

On ESPN2 tonight, Baylor and Louisville will square off in the Elite Eight in Oklahoma City. Kim Mulkey coaches the Lady Bears, but one of her key assistants is Waldo native Sytia Messer.

The former Lady Bulldog and Lady Razorback is in her fourth season with Baylor, and is the team's recruiting coordinator. Family members will be pulling for Mulkey, Messer and the Lady Bears to move on in the NCAA Women's Tournament.

But back to salaries for moment.

Before Auriemma arrived at Connecticut in 1985, the Huskies had only one winning season in its history. He's now riding a 107-game winning streak and four consecutive national championships.

I'm just saying, isn't he worth more than $2.4 million?

• • • •

There’s something on the ball at Southern Arkansas University.

Both baseball and softball teams are enjoying successful seasons. The programs together have suffered only two losses in Great American Conference play and have captured national attention.

The Lady Muleriders are ranked third in NCAA Division II, while the Muleriders are up to No. 16 in the country after not being ranked at the start of the season.

"It's a good time to be a Mulerider," someone said.

By the way, the Lady Mulerider softball series with Northwestern Oklahoma has been moved to Saturday and Sunday because of the potential several weather in the area this evening.

The doubleheaders will be played at 4 p.m. Saturday and at noon on Sunday. The Muleriders are playing in Oklahoma.

(Chris Gilliam is Sports Editor at the Banner-News. Email him at [email protected]).

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